Jake Pollack Powers Deerfield Past Kaneland in Overtime Thriller at Class 3A State Semifinals

Jake Pollack delivered a dominant performance at State Farm Center in Champaign, lifting Deerfield High School to a 49-48 overtime victory over Kaneland in the Illinois Class 3A boys basketball semifinals on Friday.

The 6-foot-9 senior and Dartmouth recruit finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists, five blocks, and multiple charges taken — all while navigating foul trouble after picking up his third personal foul early in the game. Pollack was particularly effective in the second half, repeatedly attacking the basket against Kaneland's highly recruited 6-9 junior Jeffrey Hassan, either finishing at the rim or drawing fouls. Teammate Evan Nagler contributed 11 points, while freshman Drew Schnurman added nine points on three three-pointers in the second quarter.

Deerfield, now 25-11 on the season, held a 14-point advantage with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter before Kaneland, which entered the game at 35-1, mounted a 13-0 run to retake the lead. The game was tied at 45 at the end of regulation after Marshawn Cocroft converted a baseline drive with 10 seconds left. In overtime, Pollack scored on two aggressive drives to the basket to secure the winning margin after Kaneland had taken a 48-45 lead. The Warriors will make their first-ever state championship game appearance on Saturday, facing the winner of the Leo versus East St. Louis semifinal matchup.