Caramello Takes Game to Next Level

Caitlyn Caramello was a major contributor to the greatest regular season in Revere High girls basketball history. As a sophomore the 5-foot-8-inch forward helped spark the Patriots to a 20-0 record, a conference championship, and a first-round victory over Lynn English in the State Tournament.

As Caramello prepares to begin her senior year, her teammates and RHS fans should know that the talented three-year starter isn’t resting on the NEC All-Star honors she received last season.

Here’s Caitlyn Caramello’s daily schedule this week at an overnight basketball camp at Massachusetts Maritime Academy on Buzzards Bay: breakfast at 7:30 a.m. followed by basketball; lunch at noon, followed by basketball; dinner at 5 p.m., followed by basketball until about 9:30 p.m. That’s a steady diet of roundball from morning to evening, competing with and against high school players from across the state and developing her game under a staff of coaches.

“We’re doing a lot of basketball drills, playing scrimmages indoors and outdoors, and later in the week there’ll be free throw and skills contests,” Caramello said in a phone interview from the campsite.

Last week Caramello took the court at Simmons and Wentworth colleges for the Metro team in the Bay State Games. Matched up against the state’s best players, Caramello showed she belonged in that elite category. Metro went 4-2 and Caramello and her teammates earned a silver medal. Revere High junior Jen Fajardo also played for the Metro squad.

“The competition was really good,” said Caramello, who was making her second appearance in the Bay States. “It was a good experience to test myself against such excellent players.”

In addition to her basketball camp and Bay States Games experiences this summer, Caramello played in regional tournaments for the Mass. Lady Warriors AAU team based in Andover. She’s also playing for the Revere High summer team that participates in a league at Lynn Tech.

“I’m just trying to practice and get better as a basketball player – there’s always room for improvement,”  said Caramello.

The honor roll student will return to the RHS cross country team for her final season and next spring she’ll complete her 12-varsity letter-career in the outdoor track program.

But it’s the basketball season that should bring the most excitement to RHS sports followers. Caramello, a captain last year, heads a strong cast of returning players from last year’s State Tournament team that was led by first-year coach Katelyn Leonard.

“It was different,” said Caramello, speaking about the transition from former coach Diana DeCristoforo to new coach Katelyn Leonard. “You just have to get used to it. Different coaches have different styles. Either way we have to work hard. I thought it was a good season.”

Caramello said she’s looking forward to her final basketball season. Revere should be in contention for another conference championship.

The daughter of retired Revere Fire lieutenant Jim Caramello and Lynne Caramello, Caitlyn began her basketball career in the third grade for the Revere Bombers team alongside some of her current teammates, including Gena Restiano.

A lot will depend on the return of All-Star senior guard Gena Restiano, who is recovering from a serious knee injury that required surgery followed by months of rehabilitation.

“I definitely think Gena’s going to be really good and come back really strong this year,” said Caramello. “We have a lot of seniors. Jen [Fajardo] is doing really well and improving a lot. We also have Amy Rotger, Gianna Bua, Danielle Smith, and Jackie Noel. And there are some good juniors and [6-foot sophomore] Typhani Harris will really help us again this year. She should be really strong in the post.”

Push the clock ahead to high school and Caramello is still having fun with basketball and hitting the courts as a much as she can. But before she leaves Revere High, she would like to bring one more championship banner to the school.

“That’s what we’re trying to do and why we’re working so hard – to win a championship,” said Caramello, who hopes to continue her basketball career in college.

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