Girls Basketball: Carmel Catholic wins four in a row
By bill pemstein Contributor January 19, 2012 2:46PM
Carmel's Kaitlyn Lynch (left) shoots while being defended by Waukegan's Syerra Cunningham in nonconference action last week. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:14AM
Who were those human noisemakers visiting the Carmel Catholic girls basketball game Saturday night?
It seems like they stayed for about five minutes, and the noise level in the gym went up three-fold.
Oh, they were pals of Madeline Felipez … the stars of Street Scenes 2012, Carmel’s massive fundraiser. The 38th annual event, billed as “Street Scenes Revisits Carmel’s 50 Years,” is set for Feb. 10 and 11.
Those energetic souls visited fellow cast member Felipez while she and her basketball teammates were making life miserable for visiting Nazareth. Carmel led 29-7 at halftime.
“That was great,” said Carmel coach Kelly Perz. “Madeline asked them to come, and they did, and it was awesome. We would like them to come to the regional, too, but we’ll see because that’s the same week as Street Scenes.”
Carmel (13-8) blitzed Nazareth 47-21 on Senior Night for the Corsairs.
Senior Night, in January?
“Traditionally, it’s the last home game,” Perz said. “But we talked to the seniors and they said do it against Nazareth. It was a whole-day celebration.”
It also was a chance to salute Carmel’s seniors. That, of course, includes Felipez.
“She’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached,” Perz said. “She’s very selfless. She gives us excellent energy.”
Fellow senior Sarah McHugh had a strong first half on Saturday, finishing with 10 points.
“She is so athletic,” Perz said. “Her defense is so good.”
McHugh’s athletic prowess will take her to the University of Northern Iowa on a soccer scholarship next season. In the meantime, she’s becoming an important player for the Corsairs in 2011-12. Perz likes the way in which McHugh can guard most anyone when Carmel presses.
In senior Kaitlyn Lynch, the Corsairs have an important team player.
“She’s a very positive influence on the younger players,” Perz said. “She’s the glue that holds the team together. She’s a jokester on the team but very serious about basketball.”
The fourth senior on board is Mary McGrail. She moved in from Maine last year and didn’t say “boo” to anyone.
“She came from a tiny, tiny school,” Perz said. “It was an adjustment for her. Last year, she was painstakingly shy. Now she works so hard in practice, and is everyone’s friend.”
Cassidy Kloss also scored 10 points in the romp over Nazareth.
Recap: Earlier in the week, Carmel traveled to Waukegan and beat the Bulldogs 46-35.
Kathleen Felicelli led the offense with 15 points. Also helping the cause were Leah Lach (8 points) Kloss (7). The Corsairs are riding a four-game winning streak.
“After 21 games, we are getting on the same page,” Perz said. “The chemistry on this team is really good. The seniors have meshed with the new juniors and the sophomores.”
Playoffs on tap: The Corsairs, an IHSA Class 3A school this season, will host a regional.
In the meantime, Carmel visits North Chicago on Saturday.
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