Kaneland Duo Cocroft and Hassan Carry to Super Sectional Win

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First game I caught on Monday night was a super sectional from Northern Illinois University between undefeated Kaneland and Morton out of central Illinois.&nbsp; Morton jumped out to a 10-0 lead to begin the game.&nbsp; Kaneland answered right back with a 13-4 run to close the quarter.&nbsp; It was close throughout the rest of the game with momentum swings both ways.&nbsp; With the game tied and 5 seconds left Kaneland went to their big man [player_tooltip player_id='2391672' first='Jeffrey' last='Hassan'] on a high/low action who scored the game winner!&nbsp; Kaneland advances to the state finals with a 49-47 victory.&nbsp; Let's look at the prospects who shined in this game!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaneland Inside/Outside Punch Delivers on Big Stage</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Kaneland they rely on their 1-2 punch of senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552428' first='Marshawn' last='Cocroft'] and 2027 top 10 big man [player_tooltip player_id='2391672' first='Jeffrey' last='Hassan'].&nbsp; Cocroft is a Grand Valley State commit who isn't the tallest, but he plays way larger than his size.&nbsp; Shifty point guard that plays with excellent pace.&nbsp; He went coast to coast with his speed, knocked in several threes, and was excellent as a passer finding his teammates all night.&nbsp; Also a dynamic defender as he was a big part of the group that shut down McKie.&nbsp; In this game Cocroft scored 15 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2391672' first='Jeffrey' last='Hassan'] has been a PHI favorite since the first time we saw him 3 years ago.&nbsp; The 6'9” five man is a super athletic post that started off a little slow, but then he dominated the game with his shot blocking and altering plays at the rim defensively.&nbsp; Swatted one after another.&nbsp; Snatched rebounds in traffic.&nbsp; Offensively finished out of the dunker spot, garnered deep post position, put backs, and has a nice hook shot.&nbsp; Seals very well.&nbsp; His offensive game continues to round out, but it is coming fast.&nbsp; He had 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Role Players Step Up for Morton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With their star not giving them what they normally get it was the Potters role players who stepped up.  Silas Steffen is a scrappy rebounder that finishes around the basket.  [player_tooltip player_id='3361074' first='Collin' last='Burns'] crashed the offensive glass and finished in the paint.  [player_tooltip player_id='3430180' first='Brendan' last='Petty'] is probably the highest ceiling guy outside of Hassan on the floor in this game.  Long and lanky combo forward who showcases his diverse skill set being able to pass, cut, handle, and impact defensively.  He had 7 points.  Based on what we saw over the last month and a half he will be getting a market correction bump in the coming weeks.  Big spring ahead for him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who's That Guy?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Early on it was the [player_tooltip player_id='2393974' first='Evan' last='Frieders'] show for Kaneland.&nbsp; The 6'6” small forward put his name on our radar as a rangy wing that shot it well from the corner and baseline.&nbsp; As the game went on he knocked in some key free throws.&nbsp; Like what he brings defensively being able to guard multiple spots.&nbsp; He had 11 points.&nbsp; Morton I had seen multiple times this year and 2026 guard Owen Adams I do not remember at all.&nbsp; He almost carried them to a win here.&nbsp; The senior guard is a scrappy defender, sound three point shooter, and pushed the pace with his ability to get to the rim scoring 14 points in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->