Hamilton Guard Signs with Highlander Men Hoops
(Houghton,
N.Y.)— Kenan Etale, a guard from
Hamilton, Ontario, has signed a letter of intent to play
basketball for Houghton College. Etale averaged 17 points, 10
rebounds and six assists per game in his high school career,
leading Académie Catholique Mère-Teresa to French school
provincial titles four times in five years.
Etale also led the team to the state championship of the
Ontario Federation of Sports Athletic Association in 2007 and
2008 and was the state tournament MVP both times.
“Kenan will do whatever it takes to help his team win,”
said Martin Vaillancourt, Académie Catholique Mère-Teresa’s
coach, “He will play any position, fill out any role to help. He
is a great teammate who always places his friends first. Most
important, he is a great human being, with a heart of gold.
Everyone loves Kenan and many kids in our community look at him
as a role model.”
“While
quiet and unassuming, Kenan brings an intensity to the court
that is evident in deed, not word,” says Highlanders’ head coach
Brad Zarges, “I expect Kenan to challenge for a starting role at
the point early in his career. He is one of the most complete
players that I have seen. His court vision and passing skills as
a point guard make him the true triple threat. He is explosively
quick laterally and vertically. He finishes at the rim and from
behind the arc.”
The 6’1” Etale displayed his finishing skills at the
Hamilton Catholic League All-Star Game (he was a first-team
selection) by winning the slam dunk competition. He also earned
all-star team selections at the Hamilton Referee Tournament, the
Palama Settlement Invitational in Oahu and at Ontario’s
prestigious Silver Fox Invitational Tournament.
His high school team named him most valuable player his
junior and senior years, and also gave him top defensive player
honors both years. He averaged three steals per game during his
high school career.
Etale is the son of Jeanine
Kalinga and Thierry Etale from Hamilton and expects to major in
business at Houghton.
