Coach Likes Bulldogs Chances:

 

The Bulldogs started three sophomores in last year's state finals. Two of them - Ricardo Johnson and Elijah Pittman - recently were ranked the first and second best players in Northern Kentucky by area coaches. Henley recently talked about his team and players with Enquirer reporter Ryan Ernst.

 

Question: Everybody else seems to really like your team this year. What do you think?

Answer: I think if we can still develop some toughness and that defensive mentality like we did last year, we have a chance to be pretty good.

 

Q: How have the first couple weeks of practice gone?

A: Some days are pretty good, and some days aren't so good. It's about what we expected. We have a lot of guys who don't have a lot of experience playing varsity minutes. Now we're expecting those guys that were second-team guys to do a lot more. They'll figure it out.

 

Q: You guys are playing Scott County in the Bluegrass-Buckeye Charity Classic in December at NKU. How did that game get set up?

A: It came through the event. Obviously, they're going to be the top-ranked team in the state in the preseason. So early in the season we'll get a chance to see where we are. Teams like that will exploit your weaknesses. We'll see what we have to work on.

 

Q: Pittman and Johnson have been a hot topic in local recruiting circles. How's that process going? Is there more interest there than there has been with some of your best players in the past?

A: There have been quite a few inquiries from quite a few schools. We've even had some Division I head coaches to see them work out this fall. That's never really happened with us in the past.

 

Q: What head coaches have been out to see the guys?

A: Really, it's been mainly assistants. But (University of Cincinnati head coach) Mick Cronin came over and (West Virginia head coach) Bob Huggins came over last week. Those are the only head coaches who have stopped by.

 

Q: Some of your former players are doing pretty well at the next level. Greg Rice was recently named a junior college preseason All-American. Do you keep up with those guys?

A: I try to talk to their coaches. They keep me abreast of what's going on with those guys. And I see them when they're around school. You do what you can.

 

Rest of Questions and Story:

http://nky.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20081103/SPT0302/811030337/

Henley is getting the job done in the COV. Congrats to Hen and his Bullogs