Kaneland’s 22-game winning streak was in jeopardy on Friday when Sycamore senior Preston Picolotti drained a three-pointer with 3:22 left to grab a three-point lead.
The Spartans had the home crowd on their side, a surge of momentum, and a feisty spirit that kept them competitive for four quarters against a taller and more talented Kaneland team.
Sycamore led again with 1:28 left in overtime. But every time the Spartans tried to pull away, junior guard Marshawn Cocroft and 6-7 senior Freddy Hassan found a way to answer.
Cocroft was the hero late, scoring six of his 21 points in overtime to give No. 25 Kaneland a 58-53 victory and a share of the Interstate Eight title.
“Even though they were face guarding me I had to step up,” Cocroft said. “My teammates helped me get up and we just kept pushing. We knew in the overtime they were probably tired.”
Cocroft’s three-pointer with 1:11 left in overtime put the Knights (24-1, 8-0) ahead for good.
“We are finding ways to win and we did it again,” Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe said. “Some nights we score in the upper 80’s and tonight we had to grind it out.”
Hassan finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. His younger brother, Jeffrey Hassan, is a 6-9 sophomore. The Hassan brothers have long arms and are natural shot blockers. They are a constant threat to opposing offenses throughout every possession.
Sycamore adapted well to the threat, scoring on crafty drives to the basket and fadeaway jumpers. The Spartans opened the game hot and led 15-5.
“No game against Sycamore is ever easy,” Freddy Hassan said. “They came out strong but we found a way to flip it around.”
Jeffrey Hassan had seven points and seven rebounds. Cocroft was one of the breakout stars of the state finals last season. He led Aurora Christian to the Class 1A semifinals and scored 36 points in the loss to West Central. Cocroft, who went to Kaneland elementary schools, transferred to Kaneland over the summer.
“We’ve all known him for a while,” Freddy Hassan said. “We all just clicked instantly. The chemistry was there.”
The Knights’ chemistry-inspired 23-game winning streak took most of the area by surprise. Kaneland’s last loss was to McHenry on Nov. 26. The Knights joined the Super 25 rankings for the first time on Sunday and will be a serious threat in the Class 3A state tournament.
“While we are doing our homework on the postseason but we are focused on the game in front of us,” Colmbe said. “It’s so hard to keep high school kids focused. That’s been the thing we are proud of. As a group, we’ve been locked in at one game at a time and that isn’t easy to do.”
Sycamore (18-7, 6-2) was without one of their top players, 6-4 junior Isaiah Feuerbach. But the Spartans gave Kaneland everything it could handle.
Senior Unique Shaw and sophomore Xander Lewis both scored 12 points. Senior Carter York added 10 points and five rebounds and senior Jake Shipley finished with 11 points and six rebounds for Sycamore.
“I don’t know how many years Kaneland and Sycamore have been going at it but these are always tough battles,” Colombe said. “The conference was probably on the line tonight and give them credit, their kids really rallied. But we weathered the storm.”