Girls basketball: Scouting Carmel Catholic

CARMEL

Coach: Kelly Perz (fifth season)

Last season: 24-9, 3-6 in ESCC, lost to Burlington Central in Class 3A Hoffman Estates supersectional

Key players lost: G Kathleen Felicelli, G Cassidy Kloss, F Leah Lach, G Nicole Bitter, G Paige Gauthier, G Alexa Svoboda

Returning players: Sr. F/C Emma Rappe (6-0), Jr. C/F Emily Casale (6-2), Sr. G Sam Melillo (5-3), Sr. F Karoline Yacono (5-10),

Newcomers: So. G Jill Johnson (5-6), Jr. G Angela Melillo (5-0), So. F Daija Pruitt (5-9), Jr. G Danielle Delozier (5-6), Jr. G Alexa Amato (5-5), So. G Katherine Yacono (5-8)

Outlook: A super season ended in the supersectional for the Corsairs last March. This season might not be so super, however. Gone are four starters, including two-time all-area guard Kathleen Felicelli and fellow all-area selection Cassidy Kloss. Felicelli and Kloss averaged 16 and 11.5 points per game, respectively, last season. "We are young and inexperienced," said coach Kelly Perz, whose 2013-14 team upset two-time state runner-up Vernon Hills in the Class 3A Ridgewood sectional final last season. "We know last year was special." The Corsairs are not devoid of talent. Senior center/forward Emma Rappe is playing her third season on varsity, started on last season's 24-win squad and figures to be one of the better low-post players in the county this season. Junior Emily Casale stands 6 feet 2 and will play a bigger role this season after contributing off the bench last winter. Senior guard Sam Melillo also got some playing time. Perz is carrying only 10 players on her roster. The Corsairs began the week by dropping two of their first three games in Mundelein's tournament.