According to reports from the opening weekend of the season, the iconic former forward stepped into his new role following three seasons as an assistant coach, steering the squad through early-season adjustments.
On Sept. 23, the Golden Kings bounced back from an opening-day defeat to secure an 85-74 victory over Alvark Tokyo. The bounce-back performance arrived just a day after Ryukyu dropped their season opener, where a sluggish second half saw them muster only 22 points. Against Tokyo on Sunday, however, the team maintained defensive pressure throughout and executed their offensive schemes efficiently.
A Tactician’s Debut and Team-First Focus
Transitioning from a legendary playing career into a head coaching position is rarely straightforward. McHenry spent three years on the Ryukyu bench as an assistant before taking over the top job ahead of the current campaign. While observers questioned how his exceptional playing instincts would translate to the sideline, the opening weekend demonstrated his tactical preparedness.
Reflecting on his first career victory as head coach, McHenry maintained the selfless, team-oriented mindset that defined his playing days in Okinawa. According to post-game comments reported from the venue, the coach deflected personal milestones. “This victory is really something we wanted for the players and the staff, to deepen their confidence in what we are working on,” McHenry said.
Executing the Game Plan Against Alvark Tokyo
Sunday’s matchup against Alvark Tokyo tested both ends of the floor. In the previous day’s contest, Ryukyu’s David Nwaba poured in 24 points, while Tokyo’s Kyonte Johnson countered with 29 points, with both scorers notching 10 points apiece in a frantic first quarter. When the teams returned to the floor, the game shifted during the second frame.
Sparked by Kiefer Ravena—who sank a series of tough shots—Ryukyu caught fire from beyond the arc, hitting five of seven three-point attempts in the second quarter alone to build a double-digit lead. McHenry praised his roster’s discipline after the final buzzer, noting that the players executed the coaching staff’s game plan precisely against a formidable opponent.
Balancing Roster Strategy in the B.League
The Golden Kings will look to build on this momentum as the B.League regular season progresses.
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