On Friday evening, January 29, and Saturday, January 30, over 200 7th grade students from 18 Catholic grammar schools participated in the annual Border Classic basketball tournament at Mount Carmel.  Schools from as far west as Hinsdale, as far south as Indiana, and as far north as Rogers Park travelled to 64th and Dante to compete against teams that they normally do not face.  Mr. Phil Segroves, Associate Director of Enrollment and tournament director, described the double-elimination tournament as “a huge success.”

Many of the games in the tournament were extremely competitive, including the championship match-up in which Christ the King School (Beverly) took home the title over Hardey Prep (North Sheridan Road).  Christ the King’s athletes received a plaque to proudly take back to their hallways, while the rest of the schools took home medals.

The entire marketing team, consisting of Mr. Segroves, Mr. Hawk, Mr. Easterhouse, and Mr. Nolan were present at the event, while Coach Godinez, Coach Antonietti, Mr. Gilbert, Mrs. Doheny, Mr. Lacount, and Coach Frank Lenti each made an appearance.  All of these faculty members greeted the participants and their families, along with helping families register.  Mount Carmel students served as hosts for each team, interacting with the participants, and working the scoreboards.

In addition to providing a weekend of competitive basketball, Segroves noted that the 7th grade tournament offers an opportunity to market MC to potential students.  “Anytime we have 200 Catholic school kids, it is huge for marketing.”

Mr. Jim Easterhouse, another member of the school’s marketing team, added that the tournament allows (Mount Carmel) to showcase what we have to offer.”

In addition to the finalists, other schools that competed in this year’s tournament included St. Catherine, IJP, Bridgeport Catholic Academy, St. Josaphat, St. Christina, St. Isaac Jogues, St. Clement, Queen of Martyrs, St. John Fischer, FXW, St. John of the Cross, St. Christina, St. John Berchman’s, St. Benedict, St. Clement, and St. Linus.