In a manner of speaking, Marshawn Cocroft is coming home, even though he never left.
A talented 5-foot-11 sophomore point guard, Cocroft led Aurora Christian to a fourth-place finish in Class 1A earlier this month. But he’s transferring from the private school to Kaneland, his public school district.
Spring and summer pickup games on one of the two courts at the McDole Elementary School playground in the Montgomery subdivision where Cocroft grew up now takes on more meaning.
“It was a hard decision, but I’d been thinking about it for a while,” said Cocroft, adding that he enjoyed his time and experience with the Eagles.
Cocroft attended Kaneland schools through seventh grade before transferring to Aurora Christian for eighth grade. He started on varsity as a freshman for the Eagles.
“Kaneland is a 3A school, and I’d love to play against bigger schools with better competition,” Cocroft said. “I may have a lot more people watching me.”
Offseason pickup games and training sessions will continue, and that group includes Kaneland sophomores Isaiah Gipson and Evan Frieders, who live in the same neighborhood.
Those two played alongside Cocroft in seventh grade and on early travel teams coached by Cocroft’s dad, Gerry. Gipson and Frieders played key roles this season for the Knights, who followed a second straight conference championship by winning a Class 3A regional title.
Kaneland’s Freddy Hassan, a 6-6 junior, and his brother Jeffrey, a 6-8 freshman, are also frequent participants in those get-togethers.
“Isaiah and I are tight,” said Cocroft, who hasn’t decided on a travel team for this offseason. “We still talk a lot, along with Evan and Freddy.”
Cocroft averaged 18 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists this winter for the Eagles (25-10).
He scored a Class 1A-record 36 points in a 70-65 loss in double overtime to eventual state champion Winchester West Central in the semifinals at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
The Eagles then dropped a 44-43 decision in the third-place game to Chicagoland Christian Conference rival Hope, which won the first meeting 75-61 on Jan, 26.
“Marshawn is a great kid, got along well with everyone,” Aurora Christian coach Dan Beebe said.
Cocroft, who was named all-conference and first team all-state for Class 1A by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, just wanted to play closer to home, according to his dad.
“He felt like he wanted to go home to play with his childhood friends,” Gerry Cocroft said, adding that he and his wife, Shantia, told their son, “We don’t want you to live with regrets. We’re behind you 100% if that’s your decision. He has a lot of close friends from Kaneland.”
Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe, who’s entering his fifth year in charge of the boys program after heading up the girls program, said he didn’t know much about Cocroft’s decision.
“I’ve been getting ready for a trip to Florida over spring break,” Colombe said. “We had our postseason awards recognition Tuesday night and then the story broke on social media.
“I usually meet with each kid in our program individually after the season, and I had kids pulling out their phones and showing me what was happening in several of those meetings.”
The buzz didn’t faze Colombe, either.
“Students transfer all the time and it’s no big deal, but the fact he’s a good basketball player draws attention,” Colombe said. “When we’re in season, I’m focused on our team.
“This is all new to us. I’ve never had anyone transfer in, but he’s a talented player.”
Gerry Cocroft said his son has completed registration for the 2024-25 school year at Kaneland but will finish out the academic year at Aurora Christian.
Colombe attended supersectional games at DeKalb and the last two days of the state finals as a fan, so he has seen Cocroft play.
As for Kaneland’s summer program in June, Colombe said players sign up for it with the athletic department.
“I know who’s there when (athletic director) Dave Rohlman gives me the list,” Colombe said.
A first for the Knights, transfers in high school have turned into an annual rite of passage.
And with Cocroft, it begins again.
