Thomaston’s Casey Carangelo, flanked by father Charlie and mother Beth, signs a national letter of intent to play basketball for St. Francis of Brooklyn. (photo contributed)
By RICK WILSON
Republican-American
THOMASTON — Casey Carangelo’s dream officially became reality Tuesday night.
In front of a small gathering in the Thomaston High library that included her mother, Beth, and father, Charlie, Thomaston’s 6-foot All-State center officially signed her letter of intent to play basketball for Division I St. Francis University in Brooklyn, N.Y.
“I’m so excited,” said Carangelo. “After an official visit, it felt great; the coach and players were so nice. I think I will benefit well in their program. It’s surreal. All the hard work has paid off.”
Mom was what you would expect mom to be — on Cloud Nine.
“I am beyond proud of Casey for never giving up,” said Beth. “I am also continually amazed and inspired by her determination to realize her dream.”
Carangelo burst on the scene her freshman year when she scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the Golden Bears’ 61-57 double-overtime win in the Class S state championship game. She has never left the scene.
Carangelo is coming off a season in which she averaged 16.3 points and 11 rebounds a game. She enters her senior campaign with 954 points, ready to become the sixth THS girl to break the coveted 1,000-point mark.
There is work to be done on her game in her final season before the bouncing ball takes her to New York.
“I have to work on my ballhandling because I will be playing a different position in college,” said Carangelo.
And for her final high school season? “More championships,” she said.
Thomaston is the five-time defending Berkshire League and BL tournament champion and has made four straight appearances in the Class S championship game, winning titles in 2014 and 2015.