Undefeated Kaneland knocks off rival Sycamore but leaves the biggest questions unanswered
Kaneland is the great unknown in the area for the second consecutive season. The No. 23 Knights are the only undefeated team in the Super 25. But they haven’t played a ranked team this season and they don’t have one on the schedule.
So Friday’s rivalry showdown at Sycamore was the best opportunity to see just how good Kaneland is this season. Should the Knights be ranked higher? Are they a legitimate threat to win Class 3A?
Kaneland knocked off the Spartans 65-56 but left those questions unanswered. The Knights took control of the game with an impressive 15-0 burst in the third quarter but never displayed the dominance and poise that will be required for a deep postseason run.
But a win in any major rivalry game is an accomplishment. Style points aren't really important in your arch-rival's gym.
“This is our rival and these games are always tough,” Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe said. “It is always going to be a dogfight. We knew that.”
Senior guard Marshawn Cocroft is one of the area’s most experienced players. He led the Knights (15-0, 3-0 Interstate Eight) with 18 points and seven rebounds.
“We knew we had to win the first four minutes of the third quarter and that’s what we did,” Cocroft said. “We had to come out fast. Kaneland vs. Sycamore is just a good rivalry. We knew they would be coming for our heads and we had to play hard.”
Sycamore (13-3, 2-1) led 28-23 at halftime. The Spartans survived Kaneland’s third-quarter run and retook the lead 50-49 on two free throws from Josiah Mitchell with 4:20 left to play. But then senior Marcus Johnson (16 points, six rebounds) fouled out and they never recovered.
“Our guys fought,” Sycamore coach Ethan Franklin said. “They battled and we are going to put ourselves in a position to see them again. If we match how we played tonight [the rest of the year] we will be in a good place.”
Isaiah Feuerbach, a 6-5 senior, finished with 13 points and eight rebounds for the Spartans. Mitchell added 11 points and six rebounds.
Kaneland headed into the game with an average margin of victory of 33 points.
“We’ve played in tough atmospheres,” Colombe said. “Yorkville Christian is a really good team and [afterwards] people are like, they didn’t challenge you. I think it was a challenge. We just played well.”
Cocroft is a dynamic lead guard and 6-9 Jeffrey Hassan is one of the top prospects in the state’s junior class. He finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. The supporting cast is strong as well with Ethan Frieders (13 points), Jalen Carter (nine points) and Connor Kimme (seven points, five rebounds).
“[Sycamore] loaded up on Marshawn and Jeffrey,” Colombe said. “We see that a lot on Jeffrey. He is coming around. He impacts the game so much on the defensive end. It is a luxury that we are blessed with.”
While fans and media are focused on Kaneland’s chances in the Class 3A tournament, the talk internally is focused on more immediate, relevant matters.
“I’d be lying if I said we didn’t hear [about state],” Colombe said. “And it is coach talk but we focus on the next game. And we are getting better. Today was a good test. A good dogfight.”