Deerfield beats undefeated Kaneland in OT to earn a spot in the 3A championship

CHAMPAIGN—Deerfield used a picture of the State Farm Center floor as motivation all season. Perhaps all that time looking at the court helped All-Area senior Jake Pollack develop some extra comfort when the dream became a reality.

Pollack owned the floor on Friday in the Warriors’ 49-48 overtime win against Kaneland in the Class 3A semifinals.

The 6-9 Dartmouth recruit was an offensive and defensive force with multiple charges taken and five blocks, most of which came after picking up his third foul.

“I was pretty stupid at the start,” Pollack said. “I kept swiping with my hands. I stopped swiping. With the work I have put in, I am strong enough to play [Kaneland’s 6-9 Jeffrey Hassan] chest to chest. I gave him some trouble.”

Hassan and Pollack staged an excellent big-man battle. Pollack finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Deerfield’s second-half offense primarily consisted of Pollack getting to the rim against Hassan and scoring or being fouled.

“They have been telling me all year to go to the rim,” Pollack said. “I got a few buckets early and got settled in. When they switched [Hassan] on me, I felt like I could get by and get to the rim. I got him in foul trouble which also helped.”

Hassan, one of the highest-rated recruits in the state’s junior class, finished with 10 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks.

“[Pollack] was the best player on the floor,” Deerfield senior Evan Nagler said. “Zero debate. When it is winning time, you go to your best player. That’s exactly what he did. He executed and pulled through for us.”

Nagler contributed 11 points and freshman Drew Schnurman made three three-pointers in the second quarter to finish with nine points.

Deerfield (25-11) led by 14 points with 3:09 left in the third quarter. Kaneland (35-1) closed the third with a 13-0 run to get back in the game. The Knights took a 40-39 lead on Jalen Carter’s three-pointer with 2:50 left in regulation.

Kaneland guard Marshawn Cocroft scored on a baseline drive with 10 seconds left to tie the game at 45. Nagler missed a potential game-winner on the next possession, and the game went to overtime.

The Knights grabbed an early 48-45 lead but didn’t score for the final 2:54. Pollack scored twice on aggressive drives to the basket to provide the winning margin for Deerfield. Cocroft had a good look from three at the buzzer for Kaneland but missed.

“Our kids executed the game plan exceptionally well,” Warriors coach Dan McKendrick said. “The best part about our team is our heart and you saw that in overtime.”

Evan Frieders scored 10 for Kaneland, Carter added nine and Cocroft finished with eight points.

“Credit to Deerfield, they played well,” Knights coach Ernie Colombe said. “It was a great second half, a great high school basketball game and a great atmosphere. I’m just really proud of these guys.”

Deerfield will make its first state championship game appearance against the Leo vs. East St. Louis winner on Saturday.