The Kaneland High School boys varsity basketball team took on McHenry at Woodstock North High School on Tuesday, Nov. 26, in Woodstock’s annual Hoops for Healing Thanksgiving tournament.
This was the second game of the season for both teams. It ended with McHenry defeating Kaneland 58-52. Knights players and coaches have a very positive attitude about the rest of the season, and they can use this loss as a learning experience. They have many things that they will aim to improve during the season.
Head coach Ernie Colombe became the boys basketball coach five years ago and was the girls varsity head coach for 13 years before that.
“It’s early in the season, so there are some things that we need to clean up,” Colombe said. “They are a really good team, so there are a lot of things we can build on, but we need to clean up turnovers and free throws.”
Senior Freddy Hassan has been on the varsity team for the past three years and is a starter this season. He was one of the leading scorers for the Knights with 19 points.
“As we played more, we started to focus more and communicate,” Hassan said. “When we entered the second half, we played a lot better as a team.”
Junior Marshawn Cocroft is new to Kaneland High School this year, but he went to middle school at Harter. He is the starting point guard for the Knights after spending his freshman and sophomore years at Aurora Christian.
“We did a great job not backing down and being able to fight back,” Cocroft said. “We had problems with turnovers, which were costly plays, and letting the refs bother how we played. Overall, I’m proud of the team for how we fought back. They are a pretty good 4A team, and we just need to take this loss and turn it into motivation going forward through the season.”
The first half ended with Kaneland trailing McHenry 34-24. Kaneland cut the lead to six after three quarters, which was the margin as the game concluded as well.
“It’s just one game,” Colombe said. “It was a one possession game against a really good team. So I’m proud of their effort, and we are really excited about this season.”
Hassan has spent a lot of time with his friends from the team at their houses, which helps him form a closer bond with his teammates.
“This team has lots of chemistry. It’s like a family,” Hassan said.
Kaneland students and fans in general have high hopes for the basketball team this season. Cocroft has also been ready for this season and has some of his own goals to make it memorable.
“I think we will have a successful season and be able to compete and go far in the playoffs,” Cocroft said. “But we still have to work hard and build up to it and take every game one at a time. Be humble and not cocky about being good because we can’t just say stuff and not prove it.”
After last season’s program record-tying 26 wins, a second consecutive Interstate 8 conference championship and a trip to the Sweet 16, this year’s group will be looking to continue their success. Their next game will be on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at home against Sandwich.
