Girls basketball: Scouting Carmel Catholic

CARMEL CATHOLIC

Coach: Kelly Perz (fourth season)

Last season: 20-10, 4-5 in ESCC, lost to North Chicago in Class 3A Johnsburg regional final

Key players lost: F Claire Ogrinc, C Kayla Quinn

Returning players: Sr. G Kathleen Felicelli, Sr. G Nicole Bitter, Sr. G Cassidy Kloss, Sr. F Leah Lach, Sr. G Paige Gauthier, Sr. G Alexa Svoboda, Jr. C Emma Rappe

Newcomers: Jr. G Sam Melillo, Jr. F Karoline Yacono, So. C Emily Casale

Outlook: The Corsairs graduated a pair of strong, long-framed starters in Claire Ogrinc and Kayla Quinn, but an athletic, veteran group of seniors should ensure the team wins a lot of games again. “I have six seniors — and that never, ever happens,” said coach Kelly Perz, whose squad has won 38 games in the last two seaasons. “I’ve never coached a team with six seniors. I’ve never been on a team with six seniors. So I really expect a lot out of them, as far as being mentally prepared.” Carmel, which also boasts some length, opened its season Monday with a 42-40 win over a good Grayslake North team at Mundelein, as three-year varsity veteran Kathleen Felicelli scored a game-high 20 points. Felicelli was joined in the starting lineup by fellow seniors Cassidy Kloss (5-10), Leah Lach (5-10) and Nicole Bitter and junior Emma Rappe (6-0), who saw a lot of varsity time last season. Senior Paige Gauthier, who Perz called her team’s “defensive stopper” last season, is expected to be out until after Christmas with an ankle injury. The newcomers include 6-1 sophomore Emily Casale.