Stagg senior Gail Korbitz knows how to start a new year right.
In Monday’s game against visiting St. Laurence, the 6-foot-1 guard/forward hit a 3-pointer for her first basket of 2022. She went on to lead the team with 18 points and eight rebounds.
And of course, she did it with a constant smile on her face.
“It’s just so enjoyable, I can’t help it,” Korbitz said. “I have to smile about it. I’m so happy about this year because I truly love this team. We just have so much fun and we’re good.”
The Chargers were very good during a 69-33 nonconference victory in Palos Hills.
Laila Barakat also scored 18 points for Stagg (8-7). Heba Rashid added 13 points, while Ameli Sanchez contributed eight points and Gina Librizzi grabbed six rebounds.
Clare Allison paced St. Laurence (11-4) with 10 points. Rylie Galvin added nine points and six rebounds, while Ryann Houbolt had seven points.
Korbitz is undecided on whether she will play basketball in college.
“It’s been a long career,” Korbitz said. “I’ve loved every second of it, but maybe it’s time to try something different. I love basketball so much, though, so I’m still on the fence. I’m still open.
“Career-wise, I’m thinking about biomedical engineering right now. That’s a lot of classes, a lot of labs, a lot of academic time at school. I don’t know if it would be a good mesh with basketball. Maybe it could be. I need to do my research, for sure.”
Stagg coach Bill Turner knows what he’s rooting for — at least on the basketball end.
Play on.
“Oh, absolutely,” Turner said. “I think she has the athletic ability and basketball skills to help somebody out on the next level. It’s just a matter of whether she wants to do it or not.
“She can play on the perimeter. She can handle the ball. She plays inside. She leads us in blocks. She doesn’t back down from anybody.”
Personality plus? Turner couldn’t help but break into a smile himself.
“I’ve never had a kid that skilled who has so much fun playing basketball,” Turner said. “She just loves to be out there and compete and be with her teammates.
“Nothing really bothers her. She lets things roll off her back. She’s a captain and a leader along with Laila Barakat. Sometimes, it’s a little chore to keep the reins on them at practices, but they’re awesome. They really love playing the game.”
Korbitz is averaging 17 points and five rebounds. Barakat is averaging 13 points and 5.5 rebounds. Korbitz leads the team in blocked shots and Barakat in steals and assists.
They landed an impressive one-two punch against St. Laurence during the first quarter.
Korbitz hit two 3-pointers in totaling eight points and had four rebounds. Barakat connected on three 3-pointers and took a charge.
Both had assists on one of each other’s 3-pointers as the Chargers raced to a 21-8 lead.
The duo have been synchronicity sisters for Stagg for the past three seasons.
“Playing with Gail is such a good time,” Barakat said. “We have a special connection that we’ve had since first grade. I always know where she is going to be on the court, and when I pass to her, she always makes it.
“And we have fun together at practice. We’re always laughing together. So having that connection on and off the court means a lot to me.”
Korbitz has an established a bottom line as a goal for her final season as a Charger.
“Honestly, I just want to make sure everyone on the team is enjoying their time here,” Korbitz said. “I don’t want them to feel like it’s a job or something that you have to do.
“Basketball is such a fun game, but it’s easy to lose sight of that. I want everyone to want to come to practices and games and want to play.”