Prep roundup: Kaneland's Cummins remains on roll

Kaneland freshman Mabel Cummins recently continued her bowling successes, shining during a busy weekend.

Cummins won the U-15 girls division an Elite Youth Tour event at Mardi Gras Lanes in DeKalb a day before earning a runner-up finish at a U20 Illinois State Scholarship Tour event at Peoria’s Landmark Lanes. Cummins aspires to earn a spot on the Junior Team USA developmental squad in 2016.

BOYS BASKETBALL

East’s Brucato in Showdown finals: At Peoria, St. Charles East senior Grayson Brucato advanced to the final four of the IHSA Class 4A Three-Point Showdown, drilling 11 of 15 shots in Thursday’s prelims at Carver Arena before making eight of 10 in a playoff.

“I’ve been shooting really well lately in practice, especially since our team as a whole made it pretty far in the playoffs [the Class 4A Rock Valley College Sectional championship game],” Brucato said. “It’s been nice to be able to ride that, and I think that’s a big part of it. Our team had that confidence, and that just helps with being able to shoot in the state competition.”

Brucato will shoot for the Class 4A Showdown championship at approximately 8:15 p.m. today. The winners of the 3A and 4A titles compete against the 1A and 2A champions for King of the Hill honors Saturday.

GIRLS SOCCER

Kaneland 10, IMSA 0: At Maple Park, Kaneland romped to a season-opening victory Thursday behind two goals apiece from Gabby Cano, Holly Collingbourne and Becca Richtman.

North product takes Reapers’ reins: At Plano, the Reapers went 5-13 in head coach Ben Sperry’s last season with the program in 2015, as he since has resigned to spend more time with his family. The new coach is Valerie Pelizza, a 2006 St. Charles North graduate who played soccer at her alma mater, who is ready to spend her first season as a varsity coach with the Reapers. Pelizza spent the past two seasons as the Plano boys assistant coach.

“I’m really excited for the opportunity. This is a great group of girls,” Pelizza said. “I know last season was [one of] the best season[s] they’ve had yet, so we are hoping to run with that and keep it going.”

Eight seniors graduated from the 2015 team. For the first time in program history, Plano had two all-conference players selected, and one of them, senior Arieanna Accidentale, is back.

“They are clicking, and there are leaders who are stepping up,” Pelizza said. “Their ability to encourage one another has been awesome. They’ve been very coachable and are taking criticism well.”

BOYS WATER POLO

Lockport 9, St. Charles North 6: At St. Charles, Kieran Murphy scored twice for North (1-4), which trailed, 4-3, entering the fourth quarter. Nathan Bawolek had a goal and three steals.

• Shaw Media’s Christine Bolin Dascher contributed to this report.

Kaneland freshman Mabel Cummins recently continued her bowling successes, shining during a busy weekend.

Cummins won the U-15 girls division an Elite Youth Tour event at Mardi Gras Lanes in DeKalb a day before earning a runner-up finish at a U20 Illinois State Scholarship Tour event at Peoria’s Landmark Lanes. Cummins aspires to earn a spot on the Junior Team USA developmental squad in 2016.

BOYS BASKETBALL

East’s Brucato in Showdown finals: At Peoria, St. Charles East senior Grayson Brucato advanced to the final four of the IHSA Class 4A Three-Point Showdown, drilling 11 of 15 shots in Thursday’s prelims at Carver Arena before making eight of 10 in a playoff.

“I’ve been shooting really well lately in practice, especially since our team as a whole made it pretty far in the playoffs [the Class 4A Rock Valley College Sectional championship game],” Brucato said. “It’s been nice to be able to ride that, and I think that’s a big part of it. Our team had that confidence, and that just helps with being able to shoot in the state competition.”

Brucato will shoot for the Class 4A Showdown championship at approximately 8:15 p.m. today. The winners of the 3A and 4A titles compete against the 1A and 2A champions for King of the Hill honors Saturday.

GIRLS SOCCER

Kaneland 10, IMSA 0: At Maple Park, Kaneland romped to a season-opening victory Thursday behind two goals apiece from Gabby Cano, Holly Collingbourne and Becca Richtman.

North product takes Reapers’ reins: At Plano, the Reapers went 5-13 in head coach Ben Sperry’s last season with the program in 2015, as he since has resigned to spend more time with his family. The new coach is Valerie Pelizza, a 2006 St. Charles North graduate who played soccer at her alma mater, who is ready to spend her first season as a varsity coach with the Reapers. Pelizza spent the past two seasons as the Plano boys assistant coach.

“I’m really excited for the opportunity. This is a great group of girls,” Pelizza said. “I know last season was [one of] the best season[s] they’ve had yet, so we are hoping to run with that and keep it going.”

Eight seniors graduated from the 2015 team. For the first time in program history, Plano had two all-conference players selected, and one of them, senior Arieanna Accidentale, is back.

“They are clicking, and there are leaders who are stepping up,” Pelizza said. “Their ability to encourage one another has been awesome. They’ve been very coachable and are taking criticism well.”

BOYS WATER POLO

Lockport 9, St. Charles North 6: At St. Charles, Kieran Murphy scored twice for North (1-4), which trailed, 4-3, entering the fourth quarter. Nathan Bawolek had a goal and three steals.

• Shaw Media’s Christine Bolin Dascher contributed to this report.