Looking at the top prep sports events this week

We’ll be a bit slanted with this edition of the High Five.

Spanning the suburbs as always, we’re again looking at the top prep sports events of the coming week. Only this High Five especially has its eye on the northwest suburbs.

It’s the first of two championship weeks in the Mid-Suburban League, where overall titles hang in the balance in multiple sports. For the first time, we’ll have semifinals in addition to MSL title competitions.

Let’s get to it.

MSL semifinals and finals, Tuesday and Friday

You might want to take notes on this.

Buffalo Grove plays Fremd and Palatine faces Barrington in the Tuesday girls soccer semis, with the winners playing on Friday. In softball, the same schedule holds when Fremd plays Palatine and Schaumburg takes on Barrington.

Boys and girls lacrosse follow the same routine this week. MSL boys volleyball and baseball take center stage next week.

Girls track and field sectionals, Wednesday-Friday

Vernon Hills is the place to be on Wednesday when our Lake County schools and Barrington vie for state meet berths. Thursday is a huge night of competition with some of our top teams running, jumping and throwing at Hoffman Estates and Wheaton Warrenville South.

Our Class 2A sectionals take place on Friday, with several schools headed to Clark High School in Chicago. Other locals — from St. Viator to Kaneland — will be at Genoa-Kingston.

MSL boys track and field meet, Wednesday

Prospect’s team title at last week’s Ron Gummerson Cougar Classic bodes well for the Knights but it’s a deep field headed by defending MSL champion Barrington, the meet host.

Let’s not forget the other key conference meets this week. The North Suburban, Upstate Eight and DuPage Valley events are on Thursday while the DuKane competes Friday.

Boys tennis conference tournaments, Friday and Saturday

Conference tournaments throughout the suburbs start Friday, but the real action is on Saturday.

Conant High School hosts the MSL tourney. It’s highlighted by Buffalo Grove senior and Louisville commit Maksim Hristov, who won the No. 1 singles title over Hersey junior Matthew Sikorski at the prestigious Pitchford tournament earlier this month.

Four-time defending state champion Hinsdale Central will show off its deep lineup at the West Suburban Conference tournament at Lyons Twp.

Water polo sectional championships, Saturday

We’ll see who advances, but guaranteed there will be competitive boys and girls matches at Hinsdale Central, Hoffman Estates, Buffalo Grove and elsewhere.

Three-time defending state champion Stevenson is the girls favorite at Buffalo Grove as the Patriots begin their quest for a four-peat. Waubonsie Valley is the top seed at Hinsdale Central, with defending state champion Naperville North seeded fourth.