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.

Mocs set a new standard for basketball program’s expectations

by Gene Henley ·April 1, 2025

Asked recently how his body was feeling, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior forward Garrison Keeslar said, "Like I've played 36 games."

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton/ UTC senior forward Garrison Keeslar has helped the Mocs reach the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament for the first time in program history.

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Bonham shakes off disappointment in guiding Mocs to NIT Final Four at Hinkle

by Gene Henley ·March 31, 2025

If there is a rock-bottom moment for University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior guard Trey Bonham, it was probably walking off the Hannah's Cherokee Center court in Asheville following the Mocs' 80-77 overtime loss to Furman in the Southern Conference semifinals.

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton/ UTC senior guard Trey Bonham, right, drives past The Citadel's Paxton Davidson in a SoCon game in February. Bonham has shaken off the disappointment of not making the NCAA tournament to lead the Mocs to the NIT Final Four.

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‘Big Maple’ helping Mocs make their NIT run that much sweeter

by Gene Henley ·March 29, 2025

The moment was overwhelming for Collin Mulholland.

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC forward Collin Mulholland, left, a 6-foot-10 redshirt freshman, has emerged during the postseason as a contributor for the Mocs, who will face Loyola of Chicago in the NIT semifinals Tuesday night in Indianapolis.

Mocs show value of deep run in NIT over one-and-done NCAA trip

by Gene Henley ·March 26, 2025

Honor Huff may have said the quiet part out loud about the future of national postseason tournaments for men's college basketball.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC's Trey Bonham, right, battles for a loose ball with Dayton's Enoch Cheeks during an NIT second-round game Saturday at McKenzie Arena.

UTC rally at Bradley nets program’s first NIT Final Four bid

by Gene Henley ·March 25, 2025

At halftime of Tuesday's National Invitation Tournament quarterfinal against Bradley, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga head coach Dan Earl wrote on a whiteboard that the Braves were manhandling the Mocs in every way possible.

Laura O'Dell/GoMocs.com // UTC's Honor Huff against Bradley in the NIT quarterfinal on Tuesday. Huff scored 21 points.

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UTC junior guard Honor Huff’s conditioning pays off in NIT run

by Gene Henley ·March 24, 2025

With 4:13 remaining in the first half of last Saturday's second-round National Invitation Tournament win over Dayton, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga junior guard Honor Huff heard the buzzer sound and senior Jack Kostel running in to give Huff a break.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Dayton (2) Nate Santos fouls UTC (3) Honor Huff during their second round NIT game in McKenzie Arena on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Santos was called for a flagrant foul, allowing four free throws for Huff.

Mocs ground Dayton Flyers to advance to NIT quarterfinals

by Gene Henley ·March 22, 2025

Of course the UTC men's basketball team would rather be playing in the NCAA tournament. They're glad to be playing nonetheless.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC's Honor Huff drives to the hoop as Dayton's Amael L'Etang defends during an NIT second-round game Saturday at McKenzie Arena. Huff scored a game-high 26 points to lead the Mocs to an 87-72 win.

Mocs beat Alabama A&M to reach second round of Women’s NIT

by Gene Henley ·March 22, 2025

The UTC women's basketball season got to play one more time this season at McKenzie Arena. The Mocs made the most of their opportunity in the WNIT.

GoMocs.com photo by Ray Soldano / UTC freshman Gianna Corbitt shoots during Saturday's WNIT first-round game against Alabama A&M at McKenzie Arena.

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Mocs enjoying moment of NIT run with Dayton visiting Saturday

by Gene Henley ·March 20, 2025

At some point, the journey of the 2024-25 season will end for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball team.

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / UTC's Bash Wieland (22) and Trey Bonham (2) are enjoying the chance to play in the national postseason with the Mocs set to host Dayton in an NIT second-round game Saturday at McKenzie Arena.

Chattanooga-area players with UC San Diego for March Madness

by Gene Henley ·March 19, 2025

Jasen Brooks from Cleveland and Cade Pendleton from East Hamilton are on board as UC San Diego's Tritons ride a wave of basketball success.