Even with all the controversy of the past week, things would be different this time around for Kaneland. Senior forward Freddy Hassan was ready to make sure of that — at the very least.
Hassan didn’t need to be reminded of the outcome from last season’s sectional final against Crystal Lake South on his team’s home court. Some things are impossible to forget.
“I just remember how upset I was because that’s the last game I played with those seniors,” Hassan said. “Our team was so focused. It just felt terrible to lose like that by that much.”
The 6-foot-7 Freddy Hassan and Jeffrey, his 6-9 sophomore brother, took care of business Friday night by leading a defensive effort that was key for the Knights in a 49-37 victory in the Class 3A Rochelle Sectional championship game.
The rematch from last season’s lopsided 69-38 loss to the Gators didn’t come off without some drama, though. Kaneland needed to win an appeal Friday morning of an Illinois High School Association ruling the previous day concerning the use of an ineligible player in seven games.
The district won a reversal and the Knights then won the game, advancing to a 6 p.m. Monday tipoff in the Hoffman Estates Supersectional at NOW Arena against DePaul Prep (30-4).
In this game, the Hassan brothers gave Kaneland a swat team, blocking five shots apiece.
“Jeffrey got it started in the first two quarters, affecting the game like crazy with his shot blocking,” Freddy said. “I was there, too, but he’s a little bit longer than me and can jump almost as high.
“That length makes such a difference when it comes to blocking shots.”
Freddy wasn’t going to be denied, posting a double-double with 21 points and 20 rebounds. Jeffrey Hassan had eight points and eight rebounds, while Marshawn Cocroft added 11 points.
“Our defense, holding them to 12 points at halftime, was outstanding,” Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe said. “I think we played with a lot of energy, a lot of passion.”
Helped by a pair of junior guards, Kaneland’s defense focused on senior guard AJ Demirov, with first Cocroft and followed by Evan Frieders face-guarding Demirov and getting some help.
“Our big guys did a great job in the paint,” Colombe said. “Any time he went in there, he had 6-9 and 6-7 waiting. Our guards did a good job of making him work, forcing him into tough shots.”
Demirov torched Kaneland for 36 points last winter but was held to 10 points and shot 4 of 17 but still led Crystal Lake South (30-5). He ended up three points short of 2,000 for his career.
Kaneland’s status, meanwhile, came into question Thursday when Craig Anderson, the IHSA’s executive director, ruled an ineligible player was used in seven games that now would have to be forfeited. Kaneland would be put on probation and not allowed to play in Friday night’s game.
The IHSA’s board of directors, however, announced the decision had been overturned on appeal. As a result, Kaneland will have to develop a corrective action plan in response to the situation.
“We are thankful for the amended ruling that allows our team to continue in the state series, albeit without the ineligible student-athlete,” said David Chavez, Kaneland’s director of communications and school spokesman, in a press release.
Colombe wasn’t sure if the forfeits would stand, which would drop his team’s record from 32-1 to 25-8. He pointed out afterward that it was the program’s first sectional title since 1982.
“It’s out of our control,” he said. “I don’t have any comment. If I talk about that other stuff, I’ll get myself in trouble if I say what I think about that and about who was involved.
“I have nothing else to say.”
