HIS FULL first name is Pierria'.

It's pronounced the same as the mineral water Perrier.

Because the future of South Charleston basketball player Perry Henry is sparkling.

Just a sophomore at SC, Henry has a scholarship offer from Xavier. He has an offer from Akron. He has an offer from Marshall's Donnie Jones. And, yes, he has an offer from West Virginia's Bob Huggins.

"It's a blessing, really," Henry said Thursday. "All I can say is hard work pays off. Thank God.''

Henry, a 6-foot-31/2 guard, wowed the Kanawha Valley last year, helping the Black Eagles to the Class AAA state finals. He was a second-team all-state pick and All-MSAC selection. In the state tournament quarterfinals, Henry had 22 points, 11 rebounds and five assists against Huntington.

His fine play has translated into the offers. But this story is far from over. Henry said Kentucky, Kansas, LSU, Dayton, Toledo and Cleveland State are also interested.

"I'm not sure where I want to go," said the Black Eagle. "I'm going to wait until my senior year to see what's best for me and my family.''

What has been drawing the schools' attention?

"Everyone tells me I just play hard," Henry said. "Every minute, every second, I play with passion."

While on the subject of South Charleston athletic talent, there's been a bit of confusion about another Black Eagle standout, Aaron Dobson.

The two-sport athlete has been impressive both in basketball and as a receiver in football. And on Thursday a report surfaced that Dobson has been offered by Arkansas and Wake Forest.

"I've not heard anything about that," said Dobson's father, Bobby. "He's got offers from Delaware and Hofstra in football. He has a couple offers in basketball from Northeastern and Northern Illinois.''

HIS FULL first name is Pierria'.

It's pronounced the same as the mineral water Perrier.

Which is very appropriate.

Because the future of South Charleston basketball player Perry Henry is sparkling.

Just a sophomore at SC, Henry has a scholarship offer from Xavier. He has an offer from Akron. He has an offer from Marshall's Donnie Jones. And, yes, he has an offer from West Virginia's Bob Huggins.

"It's a blessing, really," Henry said Thursday. "All I can say is hard work pays off. Thank God.''

Henry, a 6-foot-31/2 guard, wowed the Kanawha Valley last year, helping the Black Eagles to the Class AAA state finals. He was a second-team all-state pick and All-MSAC selection. In the state tournament quarterfinals, Henry had 22 points, 11 rebounds and five assists against Huntington.

His fine play has translated into the offers. But this story is far from over. Henry said Kentucky, Kansas, LSU, Dayton, Toledo and Cleveland State are also interested.

"I'm not sure where I want to go," said the Black Eagle. "I'm going to wait until my senior year to see what's best for me and my family.''

What has been drawing the schools' attention?

"Everyone tells me I just play hard," Henry said. "Every minute, every second, I play with passion."

While on the subject of South Charleston athletic talent, there's been a bit of confusion about another Black Eagle standout, Aaron Dobson.

The two-sport athlete has been impressive both in basketball and as a receiver in football. And on Thursday a report surfaced that Dobson has been offered by Arkansas and Wake Forest.

"I've not heard anything about that," said Dobson's father, Bobby. "He's got offers from Delaware and Hofstra in football. He has a couple offers in basketball from Northeastern and Northern Illinois.''

The elder Dobson suggested a reporter got his son and Huntington's C.J. Crawford, who does have offers from Arkansas and Wake, mixed up. But then SC coach John Messinger returned a call and simply said he'd label the report "premature.'' Hmm.

And while we're on the subject of recruiting . . .

Let's finish off with a look ahead and a look back at WVU's football visitors.

Last weekend, the Mountaineers had one recruit in: Terrance Moore, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound wide receiver from Mesa (Ariz.) Community College. Originally from Key West, Fla., Moore has been rated a three-star wideout by recruiting services Rivals and Scout.

For the upcoming Syracuse game, WVU coach Bill Stewart will be welcoming four prospects.

Two are from the same school: Belle Glade (Fla.) Central.

Henry Orelus, a 6-2, 292-pound center, has been ranked the No. 65 overall player by Rivals. The only problem for WVU is Orelus has already given Florida State a "soft'' commitment.

The other Belle Glade prospect is outside linebacker Robert Ferguson, 6-1, 190 pounds. Among the other schools interested in Ferguson is Louisville.

Perhaps the biggest name on his way to Morgantown is Tavon Austin. Big name, that is, even though Austin has a slight build.

Listed at 5-9, 156 pounds, the four-star all-purpose back has an overwhelming number of offers from schools like Pitt, Penn State, Michigan, Maryland, Boston College, etc.

And the fourth prospect hitting Touchdown City is 6-3, 190-pound safety Jonathan Scott, a three-star player from Seabreeze High (yes, once the school of J.R. House) in Daytona Beach, Fla. Scott also has a ton of offers, from schools like Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, etc.

So a big performance from the Mountaineers Saturday could wind up paying big dividends for the future.

Reach Mitch Vingle at 348-4827 or mitchvin...@wvgazette.com.