Junior forward Colin McEniry understands that he can’t be around the Marmion boys basketball team 100% of the time on a year-round basis due to his football commitments.
But McEniry still tries to be around as much as possible to lead the Cadets, on and off the court.
“I’m there to show my support,” McEniry said with a knowing nod. “I’m asking them in the group chat after the game how it went after football practice. It just shows our team chemistry.
“Even if I’m not there, I can still support in some way and they’re relying on me for that vocal support or even that next-day-in-school support.”
McEniry was his usual gritty self Wednesday night, picking up eight points and six rebounds as Marmion closed the regular season with a 53-45 nonconference victory at Bartlett.
While McEniry added a steal and a blocked shot while tipping a countless number of passes on defense, junior guard Joseph Kramer led all scorers with 18 points for Marmion (19-12).
Joey Cwik, who recently scored his 1,000th career point, paced Bartlett (8-23) with 16 points. Brandon Pelz followed with 10.
Even knowing that McEniry’s future lies in football, Marmion coach Joe Piekarz couldn’t be more effusive in his praise of the effort that McEniry brings to the table.
“He’s a committed kid,” Piekarz said. “He tries to be at everything he possibly can, but we know every now and then he’s going to have football. He’s got such a high motor. He plays so hard.”
McEniry uses that football toughness to contribute across the board for the Cadets, and Piekarz pointed out there’s no doubt the basketball team listens to him.
“Even though he’s only a junior, I would say he’s one of our team leaders, absolutely,” Piekarz said. “When you play the style that he plays, it’s easy for guys to want to listen to him.
“He’s got a personality that guys gravitate toward. He has been amazing for us.”
McEniry takes those words to heart, plus he also knows that playing football contributes to the basketball team’s success as well.
“I’d say I’m a locker room guy,” McEniry said. “I love the team aspect, even in football, too. I think that football team aspect carries over to basketball a lot. I just like to bring everyone up.
“I don’t care if I drop zero points. I just like to see our team win.”
Leading only 19-18 at halftime, the Cadets got going in the second half behind McEniry.
He scored the first two baskets of the third quarter, starting off an 11-0 run that pushed Marmion’s lead to 30-18. The points are nice, but Piekarz confirmed the key is what else he contributes.
“Colin is one guys that has really taken off,” Piekarz said. “He rebounds so well. He gives us a lot of second-chance opportunities. We have guys that can shoot the basketball.
“He gives them the extra opportunities to shoot the ball.”
Marmion could only get the lead as large as 13 the rest of the way because the host Hawks consistently found an answer before running out of gas.
This is the fifth straight season that the two programs have ended the regular season against each other, and Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith is a big fan of the series.
“Joe and I love the matchup,” Wolfsmith said. “He’s 3A, we’re 4A, so we’re not going to see them in the postseason. They always get us ready because of the way they play.”
McEniry, meanwhile, is sorting through his football recruiting options, particularly from Ivy League schools, but he has already figured out everything that matters.
“It’s just a work-hard attitude, having that balance between sports and school,” McEniry said. “I love to work hard. I think that carries over, even in school.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
