HIGH-SCHOOL

Future Husky honing skills

Marc Allard mallard@norwichbulletin.com (860) 425-4212
St. Thomas More's Steven Enoch dunks the ball in front of Redemption Christian Academy's Ndne Gueye Wednesday during their game in Oakdale. Enoch has committed to play for Kevin Ollie on the UConn men's basketball team next year. Photos by John Shishmanian/ NorwichBulletin.com

MONTVILLE — The raw talent of Steven Enoch was on display early on Wednesday at St. Thomas More.

The 6-foot-10-inch senior got in behind the Redemption Christian Academy defense just 12 seconds into the game and waved for the ball. Like any good guard will, Sterling Taplan saw the big man and delivered, and so did Enoch. The true senior put down the hammer on a dunk that got the small Chancellors crowd excited and put his team on the road to an easy 90-53 win.

“He’s a young kid, he’s got potential, likes to work, comes from a good family and you can teach 6-10 with a 7-3 wingspan,” St. Thomas More coach Jere Quinn said.

While the Taplan-to-Enoch combination will be on display for the rest of this season, when they meet next season, they will be opposite benches. Earlier this week, Enoch, signed a National Letter of Intent to play for defending NCAA champion UConn, while Taplan, from East Amherst, N.Y. has committed to play for another American Athletic Conference school, Tulsa.

Enoch verbally committed to UConn back in September, but had to wait until the signing period began to make it official. There was certainly no sweating it out for UConn. The Norwalk native had said all along that if the Huskies were interested, that’s where he was headed.

“Since the beginning of the recruiting process, I knew if they offered me, I would take it,” Enoch said. “My father and mother have always been UConn fans. I’m very impressed with Coach (Kevin) Ollie. He played in the league (the NBA). He has all the knowledge and experience to coach a team.”

It’s that knowledge and experience that Enoch will need. Just two years ago, Enoch was on the Norwalk High School junior varsity squad. Last year, he finally made the varsity team and his stock quickly rose as he grew into his body.

“It’s wonderful when kids are dreaming their whole life of playing for the University of Connecticut and they get the opportunity. How great is that?” Quinn said.

But Quinn will be the first to tell you that Enoch still has some maturing to do. That was on display in the game on Wednesday. That dunk was just one of three baskets on the night for Enoch (seven points, four rebounds, one block) who was in foul trouble for much of the game.

“He’s a young kid, hasn’t played a lot of basketball,” Quinn said. “Last year was his first on a high school varsity team in Connecticut, and now, he’s playing in the most competitive undergraduate league in the country. He’s 100 percent a work in progress who likes to work. He’s going to give himself a chance.”

Enoch admitted that the decision to leave Norwalk and come to St. Thomas More was “very difficult.” But he was told by those closest to him that coming to Oakdale was the best choice for him, not only to get to the college level, but to be ready for it when he gets there.

“I was told that this would be the best place for me because of how good they develop the players, how good the coaching staff is and I’m seeing that first-hand since I’ve been here. I believe that will be the same thing at UConn,” Enoch said.

While it may not have been the senior’s best game, he displayed his versatility late. With 4 minutes, 50 seconds left in the contest, Taplan drove the lane while Enoch drifted outside. As the three frontcourt players converged on Taplan, he kicked it out to Enoch who drained the open 3-pointer.

“When you first see me, another player won’t expect that coming from me, but that’s what I’ve been working on — shooting, (ball)handling and being an all-around threat,” Enoch said.

Sean Hoehn and Ryan Funk led the Chancellors (3-0) with 13 points apiece.

Quinn had a scary moment in the first half when senior Stephen Millhaven came off the floor complaining of chest pain. The court was cleared and an ambulance was called. Millhaven was transported to Backus Hospital in Norwich, but appeared to be doing better as of press time.

“He has texted us and asked what the score was,” a relieved Quinn said after the game. “One of our assistant coaches is with him and we’re heading there now, but we’re pretty comfortable (that Millhaven will be OK).”