Many tremendous guards have come through the Webster Groves boys’ basketball program over the years. Matt Enright added his name to the top of the list after leading the Statesmen to their first state title since 2018 this past weekend at JQH Arena in Springfield, Mo.
Enright cemented his name into Webster Groves lore with a 23 points performance against Cardinal Ritter in the Class 5 semifinals and then backed that up with 11 points and four assists in the state final victory over Helias. Enright finished his senior season with 15.9 points per game average and hit 60 triples this year. He also dished out nearly five assists per contest and was second on the team in steals with 38.
This was a truly special season for Webster Groves and Enright is pleased with how the team has played and responded during the state championship run.
“The year has been a journey, especially since it is mine and the seniors last year,” stated Enright. “We are happy to still be here playing and we are very excited to give it our all to win the title.”
Enright has turned into one of the premier outside shooters in the state of Missouri. He has a knack for being able to move around out beyond the arc and knock down shots. When it comes to practice, it is not how many shots you put up, it is all about the form that he works on.
“I give a lot of credit to all of our coaches who come in early and open the gym for us,” said Enright. “I have been shooting early before school starts since I was in sixth grade, so a lot of credit goes to the coaches for letting us in the gym to get shots up. When I was little, I used to hear about how many shots Drew (Hanlen) would put up in the mornings, which was 1,000 shots, so I used to do that. At a certain point, I decided that it was not so much about the number of shots, but about getting a sweat on and putting up game situation type shots.”
Being a part of the Statesmen program for as long as Enright has, he has seen how the leaders of the team have been a huge part of the program’s success. This year is no different, as Enright is that quiet leader that will always be the example of how to do things on the court.
“I love how the younger guys are so hungry and they try to match the things that I do,” stated Enright. “I feel that the younger guys are allowing me to lead by example because I know that they will always try and match what I do. They are also willing to listen when we have anything to say because they just want to win. I think that is great and very special.”
The last time that Webster Groves won a state title was in 2018 when Enright was in eighth grade, but he also knows of what Hanlen and others that have played and won state titles in a Statesmen uniform have meant to the school and community.
“It is something that every time we walk into Roberts Gymnasium and see the pictures on the wall, and we see the banners hanging, it makes us hungrier to win,” said Enright. “It always reminds us that they don’t hang banners for district championships or the championship of the Meramec or Webster tournament. They hang the state championship banners and that is what we want. We want our picture to be up there along with the others that have won a state title.”
Enright knows how to balance his basketball stuff and how to get things done in the classroom as he is an outstanding student that is looking to go into business when he heads to college in the fall. Part of the reason he likes business is that he has started his own basketball training business.
“It is definitely a grind,” stated Enright. “Usually, my days are long starting at 5-6 a.m. and we don’t get home until the sun is gone around 7 p.m. It’s a long shift especially when I have homework to do when I get home. I like having good teachers and one of my classes is a half-day class with Kara Seibe. She is one of my favorite teachers that I have ever had. The class is a hands-on class helping us learn to start our own business. That is where I started my own training business. I will be having a clinic coming up soon with coach Jay Blossom because I have a lot of passion and it never wears on me when I care about something.”
Congratulations to 2022 Class 5 state champion Matt Enright from Webster Groves on being named our HSSC/Scoops with Danny Mac Student-Athlete of the Week.
Jim Powers has been covering prep sports in the St. Louis area for 15+ years and a part of the Missouri State High School Activities Association Championship Broadcasts for the past 11 years. Powers is also a part of the Fox 2 Verlo Mattress Prep Zone Friday nights at 10:10 during the football and basketball seasons. If you have a prep sports story, please contact Jim at japowers2421@yahoo.com. Follow Jim at @hssportscaravan
