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Elk Grove's Capotosto commits to St. Bonaventure

When she was in sixth grade, Ashley Capotosto loved to sit in front of the television set with her father Joe and watch NCAA women's basketball games.

Her favorite player is Lindsay Whalen, a former University of Minnesota standout and current WNBA point guard for the Connecticut Sun.

"Watching those games back then was when I was said to myself like I wanted to play in the NCAA," Capotosto said. "It's exciting to reach that point now."

The Elk Grove senior forward reached that point officially after school on Tuesday when she phoned the St. Bonaventure basketball staff and verbally committed to the Bonnies' Division I program in western New York.

"It's so beautiful there," said Capotosto, who is Elk Grove's all-time leading scorer with 1,493 points. "It's primarily built in a mountain. When you think of New York, you might not think of mountains and such a scenic atmosphere.

"I just fell in love with the school. When I came home from my official visit in September, I told my parents right away that was the right place for me."

"Ashley was really impressed with St. Bonaventure," said Elk Grove second-year coach Ryan Kirkorsky. "She was excited about the athletic and academic opportunities that the school has to offer."

Capotosto owns a 4.8 GPA on a 5.0 scale and is an A honor roll student. She plans to study chemistry.

"Before Ashley began high school, one of her goals was to play basketball at the Division I level," Kirkorsky said "She has worked tirelessly to become the player she is today. I am thrilled for Ashley and her family that all of her hard work has paid off."

Capotosto became the second Grenadier to commit to a Division I program this fall.

Senior Courtney Lindfors, a transfer who helped lead Driscoll High School to the Class 2A title last season, has committed to Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

"I'm so excited for our season coming up," said Capotosto, who also holds the Elk Grove school records for career free throw percentage (84 percent), free throws in a single season (160) and career-3 pointers (62).

Capotosto began playing the game in about the second grade. Her father coached the park district team for which she played four years before beginning with feeder teams.

Today, she also plays for Derril Kipp's Illinois Hustle AAU program.

"Ashley positively represents our program in every conceivable way," Kirkorsky added "She is an exceptional student and athlete. She has been a selfless teammate and has an unmatched work ethic. Ashley set a standard for future Elk Grove basketball players."

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