As the high school boys basketball season nears the midpoint, junior center Jeffrey Hassan and undefeated Kaneland are emerging from the Rodney Dangerfield-like shadows.
Even though recognition for the 6-foot-9 Hassan is growing by leaps and bounds, coach Ernie Colombe feels Hassan deserves more respect as a double-double machine for the Knights.
On top of points and rebounds, Hassan has been as clean as an eraser in blocking shots, too.
“The sky’s the limit for Jeffrey and he’s getting better and better,” Colombe said. “The nice thing about him? I think teams see this. He’s another guy who starts with defense.
“When you’re 6-9 and you play defense and rebound, people are gonna want you. He’s not a ball hog — doesn’t need 35 shots. He just plays winning basketball. We’re blessed.”
That was evident Tuesday night in a 62nd annual Plano Christmas Classic championship game pitting top-seeded Kaneland and second-seeded Yorkville Christian in a rematch from 2024.
Kaneland’s Jeffrey Hassan (34) passes the ball against Yorkville Christian during a Plano Christmas Classic championship game on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)
Hassan blocked five shots in the first five minutes and teamed with senior guards Marshawn Cocroft and Jalen Carter to lead the Knights to a 78-47 win that secured a third straight title.
Cocroft, a Grand Valley State recruit, scored 22 points and repeated as tourney MVP after averaging 24.5 points in four games for Kaneland (13-0). Hassan added 17 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocked shots.
“It’s great to have him,” Cocroft said of Hassan, who averaged 14.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.3 blocked shots in the tournament. “Just to know when you’re pressuring, if you do get beat, you have someone in the paint that can block the shot.
“It’s great for our guards, giving us the freedom to pressure.”
Kaneland’s Jeffrey Hassan (34) plays the ball in the post against Yorkville Christian’s Kayden Maxwell (2) during a Plano Christmas Classic championship game on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)
Carter scored just one point against Yorkville Christian (10-3) but drew praise for his defense, including drawing two charges in the first quarter on senior guard Jayden Riley.
Riley, an SIU Edwardsville recruit, led the Mustangs with 21 points but was held scoreless in the first quarter when the Knights grabbed control while building a 21-5 lead.
Senior guard Isaiah Gipson came off the bench to score 12 points, while senior guards Evan Frieders and Connor Kimme added 10 points apiece for Kaneland.
“Riley’s two early fouls were huge,” Hassan said. “Jalen Carter was playing tremendous defense and is always doing that. We really depend on him.”
Kaneland’s Jeffrey Hassan (34) takes a free throw against Yorkville Christian during a Plano Christmas Classic championship game on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)
Defense was the key as it has been all season for the Knights, according to Colombe, who was well aware his team’s strength of schedule being a point of contention for critics.
Kaneland’s three closest games have been wins by 15, 16 and 17 points over West Aurora, Marmion and LaSalle-Peru, respectively. Their other 10 wins have all been by 30 or more points.
“Defense again,” Colombe said. “It started with Jalen and Jeffrey inside. Carter has heart and doesn’t need the ball. He’s so unselfish.”
Carter has committed to play football at Northern Illinois as a cornerback, adding a layer to Kaneland’s Christmas mystique.
“We heard all week, ‘Why do you come here?’” Colombe said. “It’s a great tournament, great atmosphere and Plano does a great job.”
“Our guys hear stuff. We hear it. We felt a little disrespected coming in, so maybe we earned some. These guys deserve it. They’ve worked their butts off.”
Kaneland’s Jeffrey Hassan (34) puts up a shot from the post over Yorkville Christian’s Carter Wells (11) during a Plano Christmas Classic championship game on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)
Hassan joined Cocroft and Riley on the Jim Teckenbrock all-tournament team, honoring the late WSPY broadcaster who passed away earlier this year. Yorkville Christian’s Tray Alford, Plano’s Alan Contreras and Marmion’s Joseph Kramer also were selected.
Hassan confirmed that continuing his offseason work with older brother Freddy, who graduated last year and is playing in college at Waubonsee, has helped his development.
“Freddy has pushed me really far, lifting my skills,” Jeffrey said.
The best is yet to come, pointed out Colombe, who noted that Atlantic Coast Conference coaches have been in touch with Kaneland’s staff.
“Jeffrey has grown a lot and he’s not even scratching the surface yet,” Colombe said. “He’s got a lot of talent. He shoots the threes in practice just as well as anybody we’ve got.”