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

Last week was one to remember as a bunch of title winners returned home from the IHSA girls track and field state meet, and Stevenson swept the boys and girls championships in water polo.

But prep sports wait for no one. We’ve already moved on to another week, and another set of titles hanging in the balance.

This edition of the High Five again looks at the top prep sports events of the coming week.

Softball sectionals, Tuesday through Saturday

It’s tough not to look beyond the semifinals Tuesday and Wednesday because some great potential sectional final matchups could await this weekend.

Anyone interested in a St. Charles East vs. St. Charles North rematch in the final at Bartlett? The North Stars won both DuKane Conference meetings in their last at-bat, so a third game could be really something.

Barrington remains unbeaten and returns home to face Hononegah. Win that and a sectional title game awaits against either Huntley or Lake Zurich.

Girls soccer sectionals, Tuesday through Friday

Last week we mentioned unbeaten St. Charles East and Naperville Central being on a collision course for the supersectional. Both teams took care of business in the regional.

But before the Saints and Mya Leon can stare down the Redhawks, they’ll need to win two sectional games at home including against rival St. Charles North in the semifinals. The Saints won the first meeting 3-0.

Naperville Central, meanwhile, is also home this week. First up is Plainfield North in the semis.

Boys tennis state tournament, Thursday through Saturday

It’ll take quite an effort to stop Hinsdale Central from winning a fifth straight team title. David Waterman just won a sectional title in singles while Kyle McCain and Nicholas Marringa were doubles champions.

Buffalo Grove senior and Louisville commit Maksim Hristov lost only nine games en route to a sectional championship at Barrington.

Boys track and field state meet, Thursday through Saturday

The area claimed 10 state titles in last week’s girls state meet. Can the boys top it in the same Eastern Illinois University stadium in Charleston?

If the sectional results were any indication, there’s a good chance.

Boys and girls lacrosse sectionals, Tuesday and Friday

Twenty of the Tuesday’s 32 boys sectional semifinalists are from the area, so there will be significant local representation heading into next week’s supersectionals.

Only half the remaining girls field is local, but expect it to be a successful run this week.