Basketball scouts in Ontario already know how good Lasalle
Secondary point guard Andrew Lalonde really is. Now, all of
North America is going to get to see just how talented the
rising star is as well.
Lalonde was recently selected to play for the Waterloo
Wildhawks Under-19 Juvenile OBA/AAU elite club team, which will
compete in major basketball events across Ontario and the
United States.
The squad has already played in a provincial tournament and a
Pennsylvania event, which featured over 100 top teams on the
continent.
"It's a sweet opportunity for me," said the 17-year-old. "The
coach of the team was looking for another point guard and he
called me...I jumped at this chance. It's definitely one of my
highlights so far in my basketball career."
Lalonde hasn't been thrown into the fire just yet. He's the
back-up point guard and sees between 12 and 15 minutes per
game. Lalonde is fine with his role as he's just soaking up the
experience.
"I'm learning a lot...playing at such a high level," said the
Grade 12 student. "It's a totally different game compared to
Ontario basketball. It's the highest high school competition I
can get. I've received some playing time and it's been good.
It's the first time I've ever played at such an elite level.
I'm not behind these guys at all...I can play and compete at
this level. I just need experience."
Lalonde stands out from the crowd in Ontario.
"Andrew was selected because he is one of the best young point
guards in the province," said Dave MacNeil, head coach of the
Wildhawks. "In order for us to be competitive in these United
States events, we must take the best players in the province
because we will be playing against the best players in the
United States. Andrew has a tremendous work ethic and is only
going to get better and better. Andrew is a great ball handler
and works extremely hard which has to happen at this level in
order to be competitive. Andrew is currently backing up perhaps
the best point guard in the province in Ben Johnson, who is one
year older than Andrew, and was a back up on the team last
year. I am expecting Andrew to learn from Ben as much as
possible and as quickly as possible because we may not have Ben
for much longer and Andrew will be expected to step in right
away and take over as the lead point guard on this team."
It's expected Johnson will sign a letter of intent to a major
NCAA Division I school before April ends. When he does, he will
not be eligible to play for Ontario and will be thrust into the
main role.
"I will have to be ready," said Lalonde. "I don't doubt myself
at all...I can meet the challenge. Being the point guard is
important...I will be the leader on the floor. I will run the
offence...get everyone involved. This experience will only help
me become a better player. I'm looking forward to taking over
the starting role, but it's really good I have taken steps, one
at a time, to learn the position and what's expected of me. I'm
not worried about pressure...in fact I'm looking forward to the
pressure. That's how you become a better player."
Once he does step in, Lalonde will have plenty of weight to
carry, both physically and mentally.
"Andrew will be asked to play tough hard-nosed defence," said
MacNeil. "Take care of the basketball against intense defensive
pressure for us and to make everyone else around him better and
find his open teammates who are some of the best shooters in
the province and to hit the occasional open jumper. So no easy
task, but if I didn't think Andrew was up to it, he would not
be on this team. The point guard position is the most difficult
position to play and the most important position on the court,
so Andrew will need to become an extension of me, the coach,
and be able to be the coach on the floor."
Lalonde also knows this experience can also lead to other great
things such as a full scholarship to a big NCAA Division I
school.
"Earning a scholarship means everything to me," said
six-foot-point guard. "It's what I wanted since Grade 8. It's
what all the long hours and practice has been for...always
trying to play at the highest level possible. NCAA scouts don't
bother me. I'm not nervous. If anything, it makes me want to
get out there and play even harder. I'm also learning something
new every day...something I can bring back to Lasalle for next
season, which will be my final high school year. I am hoping
this experience will make me one of the best players in the
province next year."
Lalonde and the Wildhawks travel to Washington D.C. this
weekend to play in another major tournament.
