DePaul News, Providence News, Ray Mernagh

COACH CAMELI PROUD OF ‘HIS GUYS’ WEBSTER & DAVIS

Former Thornton High School products on opposing benches tonight as DePaul meets Providence

by RAY MERNAGH

Helen Rose Cameli’s voice was unmistakably sweet when she answered the phone inside her New Lenox home this morning. New Lenox is about 40 miles south of Chicago and I’d venture to say from the accent Helen spoke with she was probably raised in Chi-Town. I was calling to speak with Mrs. Cameli’s husband Sam, who has two of his former players from Thornton High School — Cameli is retired — facing off as coaches tonight at Allstate Arena, the home of the DePaul Blue Demons, in suburban Rosemont.

Mrs. Cameli knew what I was calling about as soon as I told her I was a Big East writer. “We talked to Tracy (Webster, DePaul’s interim coach) this morning,” said Helen, “we’re going to the game and we’re so excited, plus with Rodell (Providence assistant Ro Davis) on the other side we really can’t lose no matter what happens! Let me give you Sam’s cell number.” Sam Cameli answered on the second ring, he was whacking golf balls somewhere (I assume it was indoors) and had the same enthusiasm as his wife.

“It’s not only exciting because they’re my former players,” said Cameli, “it’s exciting because they’re both huge success stories and deserve to be where they are. Both Tracy and Rodell are outstanding young men and examples of guys doing the right thing and having that pay off. Tracy has worked so hard for this chance and I’m really happy he’s getting it.” Cameli coached both Webster and Davis from the time they were in 8th grade through their senior years of high school.

“They only played one year together but both were very unselfish players,” said Cameli. In Webster’s case, maybe a little too unselfish.

“I had to tell Tracy more than once that they only pay the home run hitters, in other words shoot the ball,” laughed Cameli. Webster of course went on to a great career at Wisconsin (as did Davis at Iowa).

“Rodell was a great player,” said Cameli, “I remember the first summer we had him with us in the Chicago summer league when King had all those great players. It didn’t phase Rodell one bit. He scored 18 points in his first game and just continued to play well all summer, as an 8th grader! We won the league that summer.” Were Davis and Webster the best players in their areas?

“They were both very special but there were plenty of kids just as good,” said Cameli, “the difference was that Rodell and Tracy were willing to put in the work even after all the accolades started coming their way.” Accolades coach?

“Put it this way, when you’re a good basketball player in Harvey or Dixmoor (where Davis is from, right next to Harvey) everybody knows you,” said Cameli. “You don’t have to look for the stones to help you get across the water because you just walk right on top of it.” The clear consensus seems to be that Webster might have to walk on water — or perform some other kind of miracle — to earn the DePaul job full time.

Cameli says Webster can’t worry about that. Here’s what he told Webster this morning when he called to ask if Sam and Helen Rose were coming to the game. “I told him to be yourself, do what you believe in and don’t look back or alibi, you’re on the big stage now and you deserve to be there, just do your best with it because this is your chance.” Knowing Webster’s reputation in the business, he’ll make the decision harder on DePaul’s Jean Lenti Ponsetto than most think he will.

Rodell Davis?

He’s happy his homeboy has gotten this opportunity, but he can’t help but be amazed at the number of new Friar fans from Harvey, Dixmoor and greater Chicago who’s interest in Providence seemed to coincide exactly with the hour that Webster was named the interim head coach.

“They didn’t need any tickets before T-Web got the job,” laughed Davis, “I guess you could say I’m questioning their motives and loyalty to Providence!”

Two fans who’s motives can’t be questioned are Helen Rose and Sam Cameli. They’ll be there tonight supporting two of their favorite guys.

Just look for the older couple, probably behind the DePaul bench, who can’t stop smiling.

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