UPDATE: Carmel junior guard Anna Chilcutt has made headlines by setting a remarkable record of over 100,000 shots during the offseason, a feat that’s capturing attention across the basketball community. This achievement is not only a testament to her dedication but also highlights her commitment to her team as they compete in the East Suburban Catholic Conference.
Chilcutt, who stands at 5-foot-6, began her rigorous training routine last season, shooting an impressive 300 to 400 three-pointers daily, even managing 200 shots on game days. “Shooting and going to the gym became a routine for me,” she shared. “I would count them and put them on a spreadsheet.”
Carmel’s head coach, Ben Berg, praised Chilcutt’s hard work, stating, “Anna has greatly improved in a lot of different areas. She’s playing great defense, rebounding, and shooting the ball really well.” This season, she averages 4.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 1.0 deflection, with a shooting percentage of 32% on three-pointers.
Chilcutt’s impressive record surpasses the previous offseason record of 60,000 shots held by former guard Ashley Schlabowske. “Without realizing it, Chilcutt blew past that total,” Berg noted. “She put in a lot of hard work in the offseason and earned more playing time.”
Motivated by last season’s disappointing loss to Libertyville in a Class 4A regional final, Chilcutt was determined to improve. “I wanted more out of it,” she explained. “I remember only playing three or four minutes against Libertyville and thinking to myself, ‘This is not happening next year.’”
Her teammates, including senior guard Josie Hartman and junior guard Grace Booher, have been inspired by Chilcutt’s work ethic. “You can really tell how much she’s put in just by her confidence shooting the ball,” Hartman remarked. Booher added, “Attempting 100,000 shots is an amazing example of her dedication to improving and helping the team.”
In addition to her basketball prowess, Chilcutt has made a name for herself off the court as an aspiring baker. She has started a cookie company and frequently brings her signature banana bread bars to games, much to her teammates’ delight. “My teammates love them. I bring 24 of them every single time,” she said.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Chilcutt and the Corsairs, who currently hold a record of 12-4 overall and 4-0 in the conference. Fans and teammates alike are eager to see how her relentless dedication and skill will impact the team’s performance as they aim for a successful postseason.
Chilcutt’s journey symbolizes hard work, determination, and the sweet rewards that come from dedication—both on and off the court. As she continues to impress, her story is inspiring not just her teammates but young athletes everywhere.
