HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL

62nd Annual Plano Christmas Classic at Plano High School

On Day 3 of the 62nd annual Plano Christmas Classic, top-seed Kaneland advanced to the championship game with a 67-50 win over No. 4 LaSalle-Peru in the championship semifinals. Marshawn Cocroft poured in 35 points for the Knights and added six rebounds and three assists. Jeffrey Hassan recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds while also blocking five shots. Connor Kimme finished with 11 points and two steals, and Isaiah Gipson added 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Yorkville Christian earned the other championship berth with a 69-59 victory over Plano. Jayden Riley led the Mustangs with 26 points and added five assists and seven rebounds. Tray Alford scored 18 points, Jayden Alford finished with 10 points, and Kayden Maxwell matched Riley with seven rebounds. For Plano, Ethan Taxis led with 19 points, followed by Alan Contreras with 11 points and Cooper Beaty with 10 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. Contreras also dished out six assists. Plano will face LaSalle-Peru for third place today at 6:30 p.m., while Kaneland and Yorkville Christian will meet for the championship at 8 p.m. Kaneland is seeking a third straight Plano Christmas Classic title, while Yorkville Christian looks to rebound from last year’s 91-85 championship loss to the Knights. 

In the championship bracket earlier in the day, Sandwich fell 69-26 to No. 7 Mendota. Nick Michalek scored eight points for the Indians, and EJ Treptow pulled down nine rebounds. Sandwich will face No. 8 Timothy Christian for seventh place today at 1:45 p.m.

In consolation play, Hinckley-Big Rock defeated No. 6 Streator Township 77-55. Marshall Ledbetter scored 25 points for the Royals, Luke Badal added 16 points, and Austin Roop handed out seven assists.

Newark dropped a 57-56 decision to Bremen despite 21 points from Reggie Chapman. Austin Reibel scored 13 points, while Cody Kulbartz added 11 points and 14 rebounds for a double-double. Hinckley-Big Rock will face Bremen for 13th place today at 10:30 a.m., while Newark will take on Streator Township for 15th place today at 9 a.m.

Parkview Christian lost 61-23 to Northridge Prep in the consolation semifinals. Collin Mulder scored 12 points and recorded two steals, and James Jefferson grabbed 12 rebounds.

Marmion Academy advanced to the consolation championship with a 69-50 win over Morris. Joey Kramer scored 25 points and recorded six steals, while Ben Piekarz added 14 points. Marmion will face Northridge Prep today at 3:15 p.m., while Parkview Christian will meet Morris for 11th place today at 12:15 p.m.

Four games will air live on WSPY on 107.1 FM and online at wspynews.com: Hinckley-Big Rock vs. Bremen at 10:30 a.m. for 13th place, Sandwich vs. No. 8 Timothy Christian at 1:45 p.m. for seventh place, Plano vs. No. 4 LaSalle-Peru at 6:30 p.m. for third place, and No. 1 Kaneland vs. No. 2 Yorkville Christian at 8 p.m. for the championship.

Beginning this year, the all-tournament team will be known as the Jim Teckenbrock All-Tournament Team in honor of the former WSPY sports director.

51st Annual Jack Tosh Holiday Classic at York Community High School

Batavia fell 58-43 to St. Patrick in championship bracket play. Joe Reid and Evan Blankenship each scored 13 points for the Bulldogs, who will face Glenbard North in a non-bracket game today at 7:30 p.m.

Oswego edged Nazareth Academy 47-45 to advance to the consolation bracket semifinals. Ethan Vahl led the Panthers with 17 points, Graham Schwab scored 10 points and added three steals, and Luke Roller grabbed seven rebounds. Oswego will face Walter Payton College Prep today at 3:30 p.m.

Yorkville dropped a 46-42 decision to Highland Park in a non-bracket game. Joey Jakstys finished with 20 points and eight rebounds, and Nate Kubin added 10 points. Yorkville will take on Hinsdale South today at 8:30 a.m.

Hinsdale Central High School’s Holiday Classic

Oswego East defeated Maine South 60-56. Mason Lockett scored 23 points and dished out five assists to lead the Wolves, while DShaun Bolden added 18 points. Jacsen Tucker pulled down 10 rebounds. Oswego East will play Niles North for fifth place today at 5:15 p.m.