High Five: Top prep sports events coming up this week
The High Five is shifting gears again.
From here to the end of the school year, we’ll be giving you a glimpse of the top events for the coming week in prep sports.
In the fall, it’s pretty easy: Football is king. In winter, boys and girls basketball rule the prep sports scene. But the spring? It’s a chaotic couple months spread from gymnasiums to pools, and from tennis courts to diamonds.
So consider this a slight guide for deciding how to spend your time with prep sports.
St. Viator at Benet girls soccer, Tuesday
Behind Ivana Vukas, last year’s East Suburban Catholic Conference player of the year, and leading scorer Annie Fitzgerald, the Redwings’ offense has been stunning during a 10-0 start. Last week they outscored two ESCC opponents 20-0.
The Lions are 3-0 in the ESCC, but perhaps their most-impressive performance was a 1-1 tie against St. Charles East behind goalkeeper Judy Saji.
Libertyville at Mundelein baseball, Tuesday
The Wildcats, the defending Class 4A state champions, will have their hands full trying to win the North Suburban Conference title this season.
Libertyville is coming off an NSC sweep of Lake Zurich, bolstered by a huge pitching performance by Kaden Butt. The Mustangs handled Stevenson twice last week including a no-hitter by Will Bemrich.
Red Grange boys track and field, Friday
Seventeen teams will head to Wheaton Warrenville South High School for this stellar event.
Area teams include Glenbard West, Grayslake Central, Metea Valley, Naperville North, St. Charles East, Waubonsie Valley, Wheaton North and York. Teams from as far away as Champaign Centennial, Dixon and Hononegah are competing.
Returners Homewood-Flossmoor, second in Class 3A last year, and Evanston finished first and second in last year’s meet.
St. Charles North at Lake Park softball, Friday
The North Stars, who entered the week unbeaten, are on a high after last week’s 1-0 eight-inning win over St. Charles East where Abby Zawadzki pitched a 5-hitter.
The Lancers entered the week with a pair of 1-run losses to Conant and Marist, but otherwise they’ve been perfect while allowing only 4 runs in 12 wins. Gianna Furlano has notched double-digits strikeouts six times this season.
Palatine girls track and field meet, Saturday
A great way to wrap up the week watching a bunch of local teams under (hopefully) sunny skies.
Barrington, Cary-Grove, Elk Grove, Grant, Libertyville and Wheeling are among the teams slated for the individual format meet. Among the top runners expected to compete is Fillies junior Mia Sirois, who is back after missing the fall cross country season due to injury.