High Five: Looking at the top prep sports events this week

It’s title chasing time.

As the IHSA state playoffs start ramping up, the High Five sharpens its focus while looking at the upcoming prep sports calendar.

Let’s dive into the area’s top high school events this week.

Girls soccer and softball regionals, Monday-Saturday

It all builds to the regional finals on Friday and Saturday.

Keep an eye on Barrington’s softball team, a top seed in the Class 4A sectional it’s hosting. The Broncos just became the first Mid-Suburban League team since 1986 to finish the regular season unbeaten. And can St. Charles North and East track toward a sectional final showdown?

In girls soccer, Naperville Central and St. Charles East enter Class 3A regional play unbeaten. Should they stay that way, they’ll meet in the supersectional.

Boys track and field sectionals, Wednesday-Friday

All of last week’s local conference champions — Prospect, Naperville Central, West Aurora, Grayslake Central, Lake Park, etc. — aim to carry over the momentum into sectional competition.

Meets in three classes are spread across three days. The Richmond-Burton sectional is Wednesday while Antioch, Downers North, Hoffman Estates and Stevenson are Thursday. Glenbard South, Grayslake Central, Lake Park and Oregon cap the action Friday.

MSL title games, Thursday

Last week kicked off the MSL title chase, and this week concludes it.

Semifinals in baseball (Rolling Meadows vs. Barrington, Schaumburg vs. Prospect) and boys volleyball (Hoffman Estates vs. Fremd, Schaumburg vs. Wheeling) were scheduled for Monday. Winners play Thursday for the overall MSL title.

Boys and girls water polo state tourney, Friday-Saturday

It’s a big week in the pool, especially for Naperville North and Stevenson. Both schools placed their boys and girls teams in Tuesday’s supersectional round.

The Naperville North boys and Stevenson girls are defending state champions. Can the Palatine boys or Hersey girls make things interesting in the supers?

Girls track and field state meet, Friday-Saturday

Eastern Illinois University in Charleston is a busy place this time of year.

Barrington rolled to a Class 3A sectional title behind Notre Dame-bound junior distance runner Mia Sirois. Other 3A team sectional champions included Downers Grove North, Huntley, Prospect, St. Charles North and York. St. Francis won a 2A sectional title.

Can’t wait to see how many state titles are brought back to the area.