By Laura Amato
Emily Engstler immediately knew she wanted to do it.
A few months ago, the St. Francis Prep basketball star was approached about the idea of competing in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament hosted by USA Basketball. It took all of two seconds for Engstler to answer with a resounding “yes.”
It turned out her enthusiasms was warranted.
Engstler competed for the Metropath squad in the event – which was held in Colorado Springs earlier this month – and the weekend out has left a big-time impact on her.
“I was so excited about it,” Engstler said. “I saw it as an opportunity to play against people in my rankings that I’ve never seen before.”
Engstler didn’t know who she’d be competing with until just a few weeks before training began and she didn’t even meet her entire team for the first time until they all stood in an airport in Colorado together. Her enthusiasm, however, remained unchanged.
In fact, the chance to play both with and against fresh faces was part of the reason Engstler was so interested in participating in the first place.
She said she especially enjoyed the opportunity to team up with UConn-bound Charli Collier.
“She was just emotionally really stable. And she’s really good,” Engstler said. “So it was good to play with another person who’s rankings are really good and who I’ll see on the circuit. I think it’s good for me because now, this AAU season, I know who I’m competing with.”
The 3-on-3 tournament took a bit of getting used to – played only in the halfcourt with an abbreviated shot clock – but once Engstler and her teammates got the hang of the rules, it was difficult for them to be anything except determined. After all, they’re all the first to admit how competitive they are.
“I’m really used to street ball, so I knew I’d be OK,” Engstler said. “3-on-3 is a kind of offensive game. But it is also how you can lock up, because I think it’s easier to play a 5-on-5 game defensively because there’s less isolation and more teammate. So this really showed a lot of individualism.”
Engstler’s squad came up short of its ultimate goal in Colorado – falling in the tournament’s semifinals – but the Terriers’ standout is grateful for the experience and, more important, the exposure. Now, it’s all AAU for Engstler, who’ll suit up with New Heights on the circuit this season.
The team just wrapped up a trip to Maryland and there will be plenty of traveling and games in the next few weeks.
It’s hectic and just a bit crazy, but just like the 3-on-3 tournament, Engstler knows it will all be worth it. She’s ready to compete and always looking for the next challenge, certain the sky is the limit when it comes to her game.
“I just want to get as much exposure as I can,” she said. “Then I’m just hoping to make a decision by the end of the summer.”
