Heyes chasing hoop dreams at Brock
Anthony Heyes Jr. is never one to shy away from a challenge.
That attribute sees the 18-year-old St. Catharines resident heading to Brock University this fall with hopes of cracking the roster of the powerhouse men’s basketball team. The squad is one year removed from winning an Ontario University Athletics title and has made a seemingly permanent home for itself in the national rankings.
“He did have opportunities that maybe would have created a cleaner path to playing time in his first year or on shorter order but Brock gives him the opportunity to stay at home on a stage in front of his family and friends,” said Jon Marcheterre, who coached Heyes at Saint Francis. “It is going to be tougher for him to begin with making the team and getting into a rotation but that is what he is after: it’s a chance to be pushed and to play at university where he has the potential of being part of a winner.”
Marcheterre feels Brock is a great fit for the six-foot guard
“There will be a role for him that he can embrace and thrive and he won’t be asked to be anything more than he could be,” he said.“Certainly in the high school setting he is a dynamic player and he has skills that will translate to the university level. He can shoot with anybody and despite not being incredibly tall he has some size and strength. He is a strong kid who will be able to handle himself defensively on the perimeter guarding university players.”
The future kinesiology student decided on Brock after talking with members of the Badgers coaching staff.
“It is a good opportunity for me. They have really good players and it is the best situation for me to win.”
He knows he has his work cut out for him.
“It is definitely not going to be easy. I know I need to do all the little things. I have to play my role and know what I have to do. It is all for winning. Everything that I do is all towards that.”
He is prepared to meet the challenge.
“It’s defence, communicating, making all the right reads, being a good teammate and giving 100 per cent effort every time out.”
He has been practising for the team for the last few weeks and it has been an eye-opener
“It is nothing like high school. That is for sure. Those guys are big, they are fast and it is a whole other level. It will take time but over time I think I have a shot.”
He is working hard to make that a reality.
“I am going to train with the team and probably start lifting weights with them. I am already lifting on my own and I am still playing AAU ball with Canada Elite.”
He has been focusing on a number of areas of his game.
”I have been working a lot on my mid-range. I have to be efficient when I am out there, hitting my shots and getting bigger. I want to be more explosive and fast on the court and that will help me out a lot.”
He can’t wait to get started at Brock.
“It is everything to do with the team and winning. Winning games is the most important thing to me and that is what I want to be a part of. I know Brock is the best place for that.”
It is nice that he gets to do that close to home
“Staying home is cool. I get to play on front of a home crowd and I get to see all my St. Francis teammates who will probably come out to all the games. All my coaches and everyone will be around me and I will have that hometown support.”
His father, Anthony Heyes Sr., played at the post secondary level for two years with Niagara College.
“He is a huge influence. When I was younger I played hockey and then I realized I wanted to follow in his footsteps and play basketball. He has impacted all of my athletic decisions.”
Heyes started playing CYO Rebels basketball when he was in Grade 5. He started his school at Denis Morris and played one year before moving to Niagara Prep for a season. After Niagara Prep folded, he landed at St. Francis and won an Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations AA title.
“I can’t even still believe it happened. The feeling is unbelievable,” Heyes said.
