All it takes is the right sound to get junior forward Claude Mpouma going for Mount Carmel.
The 6-foot-8, 290-pound Mpouma, an elite offensive lineman in football, knows how to step up and make moves on the basketball court for the Caravan, too. And off the court, of course.
“You can’t put any music around me because I love dancing,” said Mpouma, a Phillips transfer who originally hails from Cameroon. “I just play like I do and keep coming and never stop.
“I do whatever I have to do to keep my confidence up and whatever the team needs from me.”
Mpouma came off the bench and gave Mount Carmel what it needed Friday night with two points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots in a 70-62 Catholic League Blue win over Brother Rice.
Senior guard Noah Mister scored 18 points as the host Caravan (25-5, 6-3) posted the comeback win by producing four double-figure scorers in Chicago. Senior forward Cameron Thomas added 17 points and senior guard Grant Best chipped in with 16.
Senior guard Marcos Gonzales was spectacular with 36 points for Brother Rice (23-6, 6-2). Senior forward Jack Weigus and senior guard Max Justic added nine points apiece.
In French style, the M in his last name is silent, but Mpouma made his presence felt Friday.
He was loud and decisive, with an offensive rebound and assist on a 3-pointer by senior guard Kyle Chevalier igniting an 11-3 run in the fourth quarter that broke open a 53-53 tie.
“We have a very good team and anybody can get a bucket,” Mpouma said. “When I come off the bench, I just want to do my job, getting blocks or rebounds.
“My team is always first and then I think about myself.”
Mpouma gained his eligibility on Jan. 28 for a 76-65 loss to St. Laurence. Significantly, the Caravan have reeled off seven straight wins since that game.
”He’s a bright spot on the team,” Mister said. “You see him come in and he’s talking and he is full of energy. That’s what he is like every day. He’s big but moves like he’s not close to 300 pounds.
“He gives us that energy, that spark. He slides his feet on defense. The way he moves, that’s probably why he’s probably going to the NFL.”
Making a midseason school change is hardly ideal but Mpouma went to work.
”You can see when he comes into the game, he lifts the energy up because we’re happy for him,” Mount Carmel coach Phil Segroves said. “You see him on the court, but I get a chance to see what type of teammate he is during the week, in the hallway or the classroom.
“He’s a really good person, and he’s a great fit.”
Fittingly, on a night Mount Carmel celebrated the 40th anniversary of its 1985 Class AA state championship team, Mpouma had his own title experience to draw upon.
Last March, Mpouma scored seven points and added six rebounds for Phillips in a 54-47 victory over Benton in the Class 2A state championship game.
“Different team, same goal,” he said. “I bring a lot of energy off the bench, and I feel like that’s a big thing. That was Phillips’ first state title in 49 years, so it was a big thing.
“I just felt comfortable playing with the guys we had last year.”
The controversial dismissal of Phillips basketball coach Paris Martin played a crucial part in Mpouma’s decision to transfer. Still, the biggest recent noise for Mpouma has been about football.
A dominant left tackle, Mpouma already has an offer from Notre Dame. He’s also from Cameroon’s capital city of Yaounde, the hometown of Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid.
“I feel like basketball helps me with the footwork for football and the physicality of football helps with basketball,” Mpouma said. “People said I had a great body for football. I went out and tried it.
“I’m open to everything. Now I’m here, the coach trusts me, and I just go out and do my job.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
