South Elgin's Kumerow chooses Whitewater

After three successful seasons with the varsity girls basketball program at South Elgin High School, senior standout Cortney Kumerow has committed to play Division III basketball at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

A 3-year starter and 3-time Daily Herald all-area choice, Kumerow completed her high school campaign with more than 650 career rebounds. In 2008-09, she averaged 12 points per game, pulled down 7.9 rebounds per game (fourth best in the area) and blocked 38 shots.

Kumerow had been considering Lake Forest College and Carthage College in addition to Whitewater, but a Wisconsin visit at the end of February made the decision easy.

"I liked Whitewater best, hands down," said Kumerow. "It felt like the place for me. Everything about it was a perfect fit."

The 6-foot-2 post player joins a program on the rise.

Led by head coach Keri Carollo since 2002-03, the Warhawks earned a program-best 29-4 finish in 2007-08 that included the WIAC Championship and a trip to the Division III Final Four.

"I like coach Carollo a lot," Kumerow said. "I had the opportunity to sit in on a practice. The team works very hard, and coach Carollo is someone I can see myself playing for."

A basketball athlete since seventh grade, South Elgin will unquestionably miss Kumerow's presence on the court as she helped the Storm to a 17-10 finish this season.

"Post players are in demand and this is a great move for Cortney, but it's going to be tough without her," said Storm coach Tim Prendergast. "She had a lot of Division II and Division III schools interested in her throughout the season, and she feels that she can jump in at Whitewater and play. Cortney wants to play, and she is definitely ready to play at the next level."

According to Prendergast, the Warhawks are lucky to have her.

"As a basketball player, you couldn't ask for more," Prendergast said. "She is one of the hardest working girls I've seen and she always did what was asked of her both on and off the court. She has the academics to go anywhere, and I think it's great that she has selected a school where she can go out and compete on the basketball court. We wish her the best."