Ens unstoppable against Irish
Andrew Ens was a force Tuesday afternoon for the Saint Francis senior boys basketball team.
The Grade 10 guard poured in 34 points, including 24 in the first half, to power his team to a 75-54 victory over the visiting Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Niagara Catholic Athletic Association play.
“He is an outstanding basketball player,” Saint Francis head coach Jon Marcheterre said. “He is one of the most talented guys in the region and it is his passion for the game. It is easy to throw that out there for a comment but the kid just loves it and he loves to learn. He is always interested in trying to get better and trying to make his teammates better.”
He has seen Ens evolve since last season.
“We are seeing that growth as a leader. He is just in Grade 10 and the leadership role he has taken on is just incredible. We want to keep pushing and give him the opportunity to go beyond,” Marcheterre said. “In the meantime, he is having a lot of fun and he is such a pleasure to coach. He is willing to do whatever it takes to win. That sounds cliche but that is his attitude.”
The 15-year-old feels he has improved a lot compared to his Grade 9 year.
“It’s a little more experience,” he said. “It’s very important facing bigger guys, seeing pressure and knowing how to handle pressure. Last year, I wasn’t really good at that but I have learned a few things and I am still learning.”
Ens is hoping to continue to develop this season.
“I want to keep getting better, win every game, every next game and not look too far ahead.”
Points are the last thing on his mind during the game.
“I want to provide effort and rebounding. (Jakob) Kuba get the boards on our team and he is the reason why we win. He gets 15 boards instead of points.”
Ens like his team’s chances in 2023.
“We have a lot to learn but we are good,” the Niagara United travel player said.
There had been some talk Ens might try his luck in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association but he is enjoying his time with the Phoenix.
“I do like it and we will see what happens next year. I am just focusing on this year right now.”
The Phoenix improved to 2-0 in league play with the win while the Irish dropped to 1-1.
“We were a little bit short-handed today and we came into it really expecting a fight,” Marcheterre said. “I think we were prepared and the boys really shot the ball well. It allowed us to get comfortable and dictate a little bit.”
He likes the progress his team is making.
“The sting of the Standard loss (in semifinals to Eden) was tough but putting it in perspective it is the only loss we have had this season and our regular process is always worrying about February. We want to be playing well in February. At this stage we are in a good spot, but it doesn’t really matter. It is all about growing and being ready for playoffs and hopefully beyond that.”
Saint Francis built quarter leads of 20-14, 50-26 and 68-41 to record the victory.
“They’re a really, really good team and we knew it was going to be tough,” Notre Dame coach Cedric Kasongo said. “We tried to come out here and play with effort.”
The Irish have played five games this season and they are a work in progress.
“We are still building. A lot has changed with the coaching and everything and we are at the beginning stages right now.”
Kasongo likes his roster.
“We just have to keep building and it’s one brick at a time.”
One area that needs work is sharing the ball on offence and relying less on individual efforts.
“We have to move the ball and we’ve got to space out. We have a lot of ball stoppage right now,” he said. “They are starting to understand things a little better and they are getting the sets and everything.”
STATS PACK
Phoenix 75 Fighting Irish 54
Cat’s Caboose Player of the Game: Saint Francis’ Andrew Enns with 34 points.
For the Saint Francis Phoenix: Ens 34; Anthony Heyes 23; Tommy Goodwin 12; Jack Ciocca 5; Carter MacNeil 2; Seth McLaughlin 2.
For the Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Andrew Benko 17; Adam Ponting 13; Owen Philips 9; Trent Groulx 8; Zion Ferguson-Pilkington 5; Michael Ventresca 2.
