RallyNorth.net

From after-thought to the starting five

Friday, February, 15 By Hector Longo
Staff writer

Last winter's whispers were actually screams, followed by laughter.

"Lots of friends just like me didn't even bother to try out," said North Andover High senior Will Enright. "Friends said I had no chance. Even after I made the team, some kids who thought I shouldn't have, were like, 'Why did you make it?' I tried not to listen to it."

Enright cared little about the words or the chuckles. He wore the Scarlet Knight uniform and enjoyed a history-making ride to the Tsongas Arena, North Andover's first boys hoop sectional finalist since the 1984 and 1985 teams reached the North finals.

Tonight, as the Knights prepare to play for a Cape Ann League championship at Crozier Field House against archrival Masconomet, Enright is no longer the last man on the bench.

He is a starter on a potential champion, the fifth man for North Andover (14-4, 11-1 CAL), which can earn a share of the title with Wilmington, who handed the Knights their first league loss on Tuesday. These days, it is he and head coach Mike McVeigh, who can sit back and laugh.

"No question about it, a couple of my guys (assistant coaches) even scratched their heads at the selection," said McVeigh of last year's final cuts. "You could tell Will wanted to be there. He was flying around. He had worked hard in the offseason. He had a great, great tryout. I knew he'd be happy just wearing the uniform."

And Enright was. He scored five points total, playing in only five or six games.

"There were no promises for this year either," said McVeigh. Enright, whose father Tom started on the famed 1974-75 North Andover state title teams and uncles Jay and Bill also proudly wore the Scarlet and Black, had a long way to come. "He was a nervous kid out there, who didn't play a lot, even on the JV team," said McVeigh.

Enright has always taken his hoop seriously.

"I love the game, but even though I've been playing a lot of my life, I never was very good," said Will. "My dad doesn't put basketball pressure on me. He's all about school. But people would always tell me how great a player he was. I guess that's what motivated me to keep working at it."

Immediately when last season ended, Enright began the journey from the end of the bench to the starting lineup. He was a regular at the youth center, working on his game, and made the commitment to re-join the football team, which he had abandoned as a junior.

A summer wellness program got Enright stronger and faster, "more athletic," in his own words. It earned the 6-2, 200-pounder a regular turn in the starting tight end rotation and one start at defensive end in the fall. All the while, it raised Enright's stock on the basketball court. "Football definitely helped," said McVeigh. "He bulked up without losing quickness. If anything, he's quicker. Now, he's more relaxed out there."

Enright saw a giant void in the North Andover lineup up front thanks to graduation. The playing time was there for the right type of role player.

"He has to rebound, set screens and defend," said McVeigh. "If he scores, it's just frosting on the cake." North Andover continues to win, and Enright has managed to chip in 2.5 points per game.

"I might not even average two points a game, but I just look to get it the ball to Sean (McManus), 'Boud-a' (Steve Boudreau) and Hayden (Yeazel). Anything I can to get us a win," said Enright, who has applied to UMass and UNH and just might try and play lacrosse this spring. Not coincidentally, the whispers have turned to cheers. Enright, known for his hustle and tenacity, is now a fan favorite.

"I don't say much (to the former detractors). Everyone here supports me now. We have something going, and I'm just trying to do my part," he said.

"Last year was a great experience. I think about the Tsongas Arena a lot. That was a great feeling. I just want to get back there again."