Larkin grad McCullum thriving at Wisconsin-Parkside
Former Larkin boys basketball standout Kendale McCullum is enjoying a fine season on the hardwood for the University of Wisconsin-Parkside men's basketball team.
Through Wednesday, McCullum, a junior, recently was one of 100 players named to the Bevo Francis Watch List, the Small College Basketball award committee announced.
The award is presented to the top player in the nation among student-athletes competing at NCAA Division II, Division III, NAIA, the United States Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Christian College Athletic Association.
McCullum has helped Parkside get out to a 15-1 start. Through the team's first 15 games, McCullum was second in points per game at 15.5 and was leading the team in assists at 6.3 per game, steals at 2.43 per game and also had a strong 2.59 assist-to-turnover ratio. He also was averaging 4.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 76 percent from the free-throw line.
Heading into the week, McCullum was leading the Great Lakes Valley Conference in steals per game and ranks second in assists per game, while sitting in fourth place in assist-to-turnover ratio. He also ranks 13th in the league in scoring.
McCullum's name also surfaces on the NCAA Division II national stat leaders. He's ranked 15th in assists per game, 18th in total assists, 20th in total steals, 21st in steals per game and 45th in assists-to-turnover ratio.
McCullum is coming off a sophomore season with the Rangers where he was named to the all-GLVC second team and earned a spot on the all-GLVC defensive team after helping Parkside reach the conference title game. He averaged 15.0 points per game last season and led the league in steals.
Parkside was ranked No. 12 in the latest D2SIDA media poll. The team moved up 10 places after home victories against Maryville and Missouri-St. Louis. Parkside is in the midst of a 15-game winning streak.
Ross at Olivet Nazarene: Burlington Central graduate Kayla Ross is a freshman seeing playing time for the Olivet Nazarene University women's basketball team. Through midweek, Ross was averaging 15 minutes per game in 21 games (17 starts). She was averaging 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds to go with a team-high 86 assists against only 60 turnovers. She also was second on the team in steals with 45 and was shooting .489 from the field (46-for-94). A sports-management major, Ross has helped Olivet get off to a 15-6 start this season, which includes a 9-3 mark in conference play.
Fruendt at Missouri State: Batavia product Liza Fruendt is the leading scorer for the Missouri State women's basketball team. Through the team's first 16 games, Fruendt, a 5-9 junior, was averaging 14.8 points per game, while playing an average of 29 minutes. She was leading the team in 3-pointers made with 32 and also was shooting .840 from the free-throw line (42-for-50). In addition, Fruendt was averaging 4.6 rebounds and had 35 assists to go with 15 steals.
Fruendt also was recently named the Murney Associates Missouri State player of the week after averaging 20.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest during road wins against Southern Illinois and Evansville. She had 22 points (4 three-pointers) to go with 4 rebounds and 4 assists in the Southern Illinois game and also had a game-high 19 points and 7 rebounds against Evansville.
Brunner at Purdue: Dundee-Crown alum Christian Brunner has stepped directly into the Purdue University wrestling lineup as a freshman. Through midweek Brunner sported a 16-10 overall record for the Boilermakers at 197 pounds.
That record included an 11-6 mark in tournaments, a 1-2 record in Big Ten duals and a 4-2 mark in nonconference duals. Of his 16 wins, 8 have come by decision, five by major decision and three by fall. Brunner, an undefeated IHSA state champion last year, ranked second on the team in third-period points with 72. He also was tied for fifth on the team in takedowns with 26.
On Jan. 13, Brunner was a 13-3 major-decision winner against Indiana.
Fanter at Saint Xavier: Crystal Lake South product Chanel Fanter is playing a key role in the success of the Saint Xavier University women's basketball team.
Through midweek, Fanter had started all 19 games she had played in and was averaging 7.9 points per game and 4.2 rebounds. She also was third on the team in assists with 56 and had only 33 turnovers. She also was second on the team in blocked shots with 21 and had 16 steals to her credit as well as 18 3-pointers.
Fanter has helped Saint Xavier get out to an 18-2 overall start, which includes a 10-2 start in conference. Saint Xavier was ranked No. 3 in the most recent NAIA poll.
Ramos at North Park: St. Edward graduate Clarissa Ramos is a member of the North Park University women's basketball team. Through the team's first 17 games, Ramos was averaging 6.0 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per contest, while shooting .526 from the field. North Park was 8-9 overall through Wednesday.
Rueffer at Lake Forest: Batavia graduate Mike Rueffer is a senior guard on the Lake Forest College men's basketball team. Rueffer has started in all 12 games that he's played this season, averaging 31.3 minutes of time. He's averaging 7.8 points, while shooting .462 from the field, .475 from the 3-point line and .871 from the free-throw line. Additionally, Rueffer is chipping in 3.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest for a Lake Forest team that was 8-6 through midweek.
In a recent 66-53 win over Lawrence, Rueffer had 17 points, bolstered by a magnificent 11-for-12 effort from the free-throw line. He also had 6 rebounds. In a 79-53 win over Knox, he had 5 points and 4 rebounds to go with 3 assists. In a 109-105 win over Grinnell, Rueffer had 6 points, 9 assists, 3 steals and 2 rebounds in 37 minutes of action.
Off at College wants your help: Send information and/or statistics on Fox Valley area athletes playing at the collegiate level to Mike Miazga at mjm890@gmail.com.