Fonseca Steps Into Leadership Role for Enfield Girls Basketball

ENFIELD, CT — The clock ticked toward the five minute mark of the first quarter, with the Enfield Eagles girls basketball team locked in an early battle for momentum against the 11-0 Christ the King Royals. The 8-2 Eagles were up against the No. 7 team in the nation in a 2018 HoopHall Classic showdown at Springfield College.

Enfield’s Caterina Fonseca corralled a loose ball beyond the three point line and spun past Christ the King defender Brandy Thomas, just as her early childhood, “skill drills” had taught her. With that, the 5-foot-7 senior was off to the races, sprinting across James Naismith Court. Fonseca beat the Royals' defense to the basket, and laid the ball in with 5:05 remaining in the opening quarter. It was 5-3, Enfield, early. Timeout Christ the King.

Fonseca has fond memories of HoopHall. Last season as a junior, the Eagles were able to take down the No. 1 Massachusetts girls basketball team, Brockton. Yet even prior to high school, she has always been a part of a winning culture, as a four-time champion with her travel team (5th through 8th grade).

This year, with Central Connecticut State University-bound senior Danielle Delano out for the season with a fractured ankle, Enfield has needed a second guard to step up as it makes a run for a Connecticut state title. According to Eagles head coach Jay Gaucher, Fonseca has taken on the responsibility as Enfield’s floor general.

“She’s had to play a little bit more on the ball this year but it’s something that she can do [well],” he said.

Gaucher believed the team had found a special player in Fonseca when she first made the junior varsity team as a freshman. Right away, the Eagles saw a girl who would beat everyone to the gym before practice, and had no problem taking it hard to the hoop during games.

“Ever since I was young, I had always dreamed of being a professional basketball player,” said Fonseca. “Obviously reality sets in, but you just have to keep working. I fell in love with the game.”

Stepping up for an injured teammate is nothing new to Fonseca. She was called upon as a starter in her first year with the stakes set high, assuming such a role as guard in the quarters and semifinals of states in 2015. While her basketball skills steadily developed, Gaucher has been impressed with Fonseca’s ability to lead while creating a positive team atmosphere.

“She does a great job with keeping the team lighthearted and she’s a gym rat. She’s always working on her game," Gaucher explained. “She doesn’t want the spotlight, she just works hard and looks to make her teammates better.”

Fonseca first picked up a basketball in second grade. Right off the bat, dribbling and passing were fundamentals she had confidence in. From there, she trained vigorously with childhood, now high school teammate Delano, with Delano’s father Brian being her first coach.

Since their first year of travel, Fonseca and Delano have joined forces with fellow seniors Delaney Lawler, Sara Marcotte and Mary Baskerville. Together, Fonseca and her teammates have reached three straight state semifinals, tallying four straight appearances for the school. In their final season with the Eagles, they are determined to go all the way this time around, and take the gold as state champions.

“If we play like we did tonight, there shouldn’t be any team able to stop us,” Fonseca said. “We don’t let anyone outwork us. If we work together, that should be able to get us where we want to be. We want to be remembered as a team that transformed the program, and keep the program where it is by teaching the younger players.”

Fonseca has signed her letter of intent to play collegiate basketball for the Assumption Greyhounds next winter. Gaucher knows she will make Enfield proud.

“She’s going to fit in really well,” predicted Gaucher. “She’s very athletic, she found a great fit with Assumption, and she’s going to get a chance to play right away.”

Story by Vincent Gallo
Photo credit: Sam Leventhal