NATCHEZ — Adams County Christian School senior Brianna Henson hates being bad at anything.

Now, she doesn’t call herself a perfectionist. Yet, she doesn’t want to be known as someone who can’t throw a curveball in softball or hit a corner three-pointer in basketball.

That drive helped Henson hone her skills in athletics, primarily on the mound in a Rebel softball uniform. Not only that, but it helped Henson become one of the best pitchers in the Miss-Lou.

“I like to know how to do everything,” Henson said. “I don’t like to be bad at anything. And I was real bad (at pitching) in the beginning.”

When Henson first started her softball career back in youth leagues, she wasn’t throwing strikes down the middle of the plate. As a cacther, she was catching those heaters instead.

Over time, Henson longed to try and play on the mound. So at the beginning of her high school career, Henson took the leap and transitioned to pitching.

Throughout her four years as ACCS’ ace, Henson captured numerous honors. In her final year, she was named to the MAIS District 5-AAA All-District First-Team, All-MAIS Team and was a Class AAA All-Star selection. That wasn’t her final award, however, as she was recently named The Natchez Democrat 2017-18 All-Metro Softball Player of the Year.

Henson had a 14-8 record as a starter this past season. She also threw 142 strikes in 153 innings pitched and recorded a 2.004 ERA. Although her biggest contributions were on the mound, Henson also got it done at the plate.

The senior totaled 38 hits — seven doubles, four triples, one home run and 21 RBIs — while earning a .365 batting average.

Though the statistics may show Henson had a solid season, she said she could have done better.

“I think I did good,” Henson said. “There were times where I should have stepped up more. But, I had a good team to back me up.”

Henson said she should have hit her spots a little more — especially against Silliman Institute — and she could have batted a tad bit better. Henson said perhaps she finds flaws in her season because she wants to be a stronger player.

“I’m just like that,” Henson said. “I have two brothers, whom I wanted to be better than. I also want to be better than everybody. That’s just how I am.

“Growing up, I would always hang out with my brothers. I wouldn’t really hang out with any girls. I would go play baseball or something with my brothers. They really helped push me to become the athlete I am today.”

Although Henson enjoyed success, this summer will be her last year of competitive softball as she will not be playing in college. Henson said she is going into respiratory therapy and would rather just focus on studying instead of juggling athletics and academics.

Still, Henson said that she is sad about hanging up her cleats once she starts college, she is happy to have ended her career with earning player-of-the-year honors

“It’s pretty good,” Henson said. “It makes me feel that I have done something. Felt like I gave AC a name.”