Penn working on little things as a sophomore

One of Ohio's top underclassmen on the basketball floor is class of 2020 Dublin Coffman point guard Dominiq Penn. The sophomore lead guard has the Shamrocks sitting at 11-0 right now and tied for the top in the OCC Central standings.

BuckeyeGrove.com recently caught up with Penn at the Thomas Worthington Holiday Tournament to see how his sophomore season is going.

"It's different because (opposing teams) saw me play my freshman year, so they're trying to boost it up (defensively)," explained Penn. "They're trying to deny me and do some other stuff and I've made sure that I was ready for all of that."

Penn has had to adjust to being a marked man this season and he has also put in a lot of work on the little things that don't always show up in the box score.

"Definitely my defense," he said, on what he has worked hardest to improve. "I didn't feel my defense was great last year but I've tried to pick that up and pick up my intensity. I also wanted to become more of a leader and I've been working on that a whole lot."

While other teams are becoming more aware of Penn, so are colleges. Notre Dame has begun to show a lot of interest and of course there is the Ohio State offer that he earned back in the fall. The offer from the Buckeyes was a big moment for the Penn family.

"It meant a lot to me just growing up here and with my Dad going there," Penn recalled. "It meant a lot, I got kind of emotional."

Being just up the road and with his father now working at Ohio State in a support staff role, it's no surprise that Penn has had plenty of opportunities to interact with the new coaching staff.

"I love the staff, I talk to them a lot and I see them quite often," he said. "We have a really good relationship."

Penn is still adjusting to his father's new role within the Ohio State program, but says he doesn't feel any added pressure to stay home just because of the job change.

"I don't see him as much now," Penn said. "I still try to work out with him as much as I can. He still just wants me to go wherever is the best fit for me."

Penn was most recently on hand for Ohio State's big upset over No. 1 ranked Michigan State.

"The atmosphere was great," Penn said. "I haven't seen (The Schott) like that in a while."

Penn is averaging 16.1 point per game (per 270Hoops) this season.