Kaneland takes big step to beat Belvidere North

The adults got this right.

To find Freddy Hasan That was the name of the game played on Wednesday night.

Parker VioletIn Kaneland’s attack, Hassan’s friend, who was behind in the blocks, did it twice in the final three minutes to make the difference in the tense playoff atmosphere.

1.80 tall junior forward Hassan forms a very good duo with 6-4 senior forward Violett.

“We were trying to get the ball into Parker and he’s capable of making some things happen,” the Knights coach said. Ernie Colombe aforementioned. “We told them: ‘If they go in on Parker, you and Freddy are a couple, so Freddy, you go in and vice versa.’ We did a good job looking for (Parker).”

Violet did the rest.

The powerhouse duo assisted on Hassan’s final two baskets as the host Knights helped keep Belvidere North at bay in a 57-50 win in the Class 3A Kaneland Sectional semifinals.

Hassan carried the game to Kaneland (26-5) with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

senior guard Troyer CarlsonThe program’s all-time leading scorer scored 20 points against the Blue Thunder (22-12), led by the senior guard. Braeden Brown He scored 18 points and made 4 three-pointers.

The Knights, who will play for the title Friday at 7 p.m. against Fox Valley Conference champion Crystal Lake South (30-3), advanced to the regional final for the first time since the 1981-82 team went out of state in Class A.

How did they get there? Violett fed Hassan at the baseline for a dunk that turned into a big 3-point play when Hassan was fouled and the free throw was made. Thus, we took the lead 49-47.

Violett, who contributed six points and seven rebounds, scored on a layup with 2:13 left and found Hassan again at the baseline for a layup with 18.2 seconds left.

“Freddy was hot the whole game and I was missing, so I brought it up to Freddy,” Violett said of Hassan’s final basket. “I was hoping he could dunk that one too. That dunk earlier was great.”

With the Knights up 54-52, Hassan knew the importance of the play, especially as they turned the ball over nine times in the second half.

“I felt it would have been better if we were fourth up and had the ball,” Hassan said. “Especially with the turnovers we’ve had. You can’t risk that by being up two and then turning around again.

“NO. #1 (Braedon Brown) was firing them up and going crazy. Our goal was just to shut him down and his brother #21.” (Adam Brown), down. They were definitely their best player.”

Learning that the Browns are not related and are also not related to any other players mentioned. Joseph Brown, Hassan said: “We all thought they were triplets. I’ll let the guys know.”

Braeden Brown made the final three-pointer with 2.7 seconds left to give Belvidere North a 56-55 lead, but Carlson made the first of two free throws to make the final difference.

“Parker is kind of the glue guy for us; he does all the dirty work,” Colombe said. “The kid is an outstanding rebounder, plays his heart out, and played most of the year with hand and foot injuries. He is a warrior and team player.

“What about Freddy? It shows up and we still think it’s just superficial; “He is a talented kid who works really hard.”

Carlson, a four-year varsity player in both football and basketball, will play football at Wisconsin-Whitewater in the fall. She’s happy to be moving on after winning a regional for the first time.

And now Kaneland has a chance to break the program’s single-season wins record. The Knights previously won 26 games in the 1961-62, 1981-82 and 2022-23 seasons.

“These seniors have had a great season, winning back-to-back conferences, winning the Plano Christmas Invitational and regional tournament, and now they’re making it to the regional final,” Colombe said. “None of these games have been easy, but we are finding ways to win.

“I hope we can continue.”