Gene Henley

Gene has covered sports in the Chattanooga area since 2008 and has ascended from covering preps to colleges in his time. He primarily covers UTC athletics, a job he's held from 2013-18 and again since 2020, having spent two seasons covering Tennessee pre-pandemic. Gene played four seasons of college basketball and has a 20-year son named Judah who plays at Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri.

Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com.

Smith, Mocs looking forward to challenge of defending SoCon crown

by Gene Henley ·December 31, 2025

To date, the season hasn't gone as expected for Billy Smith and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball team.

Staff File Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC's Billy Smith passes the ball inside as the Mocs hosted Tennessee State on Nov. 30 at McKenzie Arena.

UTC women roll in nonconference basketball finale

by Gene Henley ·December 30, 2025

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's basketball team wrapped up its nonconference schedule with a 97-46 win over Division II Southern Wesleyan Tuesday at McKenzie Arena, improving to 8-5 on the season entering Southern Conference play.

Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ UTC's Kami Wilson (33) moves around Southern Wesleyan's Savanna Nicholson (2). The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the Southern Wesleyan University Warriors at McKenzie Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025.

Five observations as UTC’s men enter SoCon play

by Gene Henley ·December 30, 2025

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball team takes a 6-7 record into Southern Conference play, which starts Thursday at UNC Greensboro.

Staff File Photo by Seth Carpenter/ UTC's Jordan Frison reacts after scoring against North Alabama Nov. 22 at McKenzie Arena. Frison has been a bright spot for what so far has been a disappointing Mocs season as SoCon play begins this week.

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Henley: Mocs had the perfect fit for NIT title run

by Gene Henley ·December 26, 2025

Sometimes the pieces fit.

Staff File Photo by Matt Hamilton/ University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball team players accept their NIT championship rings before the start of the 2025-26 season against Union Commonwealth at McKenzie Arena on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.

UTC men win at Alabama A&M in final game before SoCon opener

by Gene Henley ·December 21, 2025

The UTC men's basketball team wrapped up the nonconference portion of its 2025-26 schedule with a win Sunday in Huntsville, with the Mocs improving to 6-7.

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / Jikari Johnson scored 17 points to help the UTC men's basketball team beat Alabama A&M 73-66 on Sunday in Huntsville.

UTC’s Caia Elisaldez beats buzzer as Mocs take third straight game

by Gene Henley ·December 19, 2025

Caia Elisaldez's layup and free throw with one-tenth of a second remaining propelled the UTC women's basketball team to a one-point win against Western Kentucky on Friday night.

Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / UTC junior Caia Elisaldez, center, led the Mocs to a last-second win against Western Kentucky on Friday night at McKenzie Arena.

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UTC basketball star Caia Elisaldez will have voice on NCAA committee

by Gene Henley ·December 18, 2025

UTC fans know Caia Elisaldez as an indispensable guard who has gone beyond being a standout scorer and playmaker to taking on a bigger leadership role for the Mocs.

Staff photo by Seth Carpenter / UTC junior guard Caia Elisaldez (11) celebrates with teammates after scoring during a Nov. 22 game against Northern Kentucky at McKenzie Arena.

UTC men go cold in second half of loss at Bellarmine, fall to 5-7

by Gene Henley ·December 17, 2025

The first step of the UTC men's basketball team losing Wednesday was going cold in the second half. The second step was the Mocs failing to adapt when they couldn't make a shot.

Staff file photo by Seth Carpenter / UTC's Brennan Watkins, shooting, was one of two 20-point scorers for the Mocs in Wednesday's game at Bellarmine, but the rest of the team struggled from the field.

Mocs battle in Holiday Hoopsgiving loss to Auburn in Atlanta

by Gene Henley ·December 13, 2025

Despite being shorthanded and facing a much bigger opponent, the UTC men's basketball team didn't back down against the Auburn Tigers on Saturday.

Staff file photo by Seth Carpenter / UTC guard Jordan Frison (5) had 20 points, six assists and four rebounds to lead the Mocs during a 92-78 loss to Auburn on Saturday in Atlanta.

Mocs blast Tennessee State for fourth win in five games

by Gene Henley ·December 11, 2025

The UTC women's basketball team won for the fourth time in its past five games and improved to 6-5 this season with a road rout of Tennessee State on Thursday night.