Give this kid the hot sauce.

Kaneland senior Isaiah Gipson knows better than to play with fire, but in his usual role coming off the bench, the 6-foot guard knows the importance of bringing the heat for his team.

“I bring the energy, push the ball and try to get it to my shooters or get it inside,” Gipson said. “Really, I just want to attack — make it hard for their defense to stay in front of us.

“I also want to take the pressure off Marshawn (Cocroft). I can do that by driving to the rim and trying to hit open shots when I have them.”

A third-year varsity player, Gipson filled the bill perfectly Wednesday night in a key sequence of the Knights’ 74-54 nonconference blowout of visiting Winnebago in Maple Park.

Cocroft, a senior point guard and Grand Valley State recruit, scored a game-high 28 points and senior forward Jeffrey Hassan added 13 points for the Knights (14-0).

Kaneland’s Isaiah Gipson (2) works for an opening off the dribble against Winnebago during a nonconference game in Maple Park on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)

Senior guard Myles Smith led Winnebago (8-9) with 16 points. He kept the outcome in doubt by sinking a two-point jumper with 2:42 left in the first quarter to cut the deficit to 12-10.

Gipson then scored all seven of his points on three straight possessions by making one free throw and following with back-to-back layups on two of those drives to the basket.

“He can get to the rim whenever he wants,” Hassan said in admiration. “He attacks it well and he’s good in transition, too. A really hard worker, he’s always trying to get in the gym.

“He helps us a lot with his scoring. He’s good in transition, too.”

Kaneland’s Isaiah Gipson (2) takes a shot over Winnebago’s Bryant Beck (24) during a nonconference game in Maple Park on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)

Gipson’s burst keyed a 15-0 run to close the first quarter with a 27-10 lead for the home team.

“It’s pretty important what he provides,” Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe said of Gipson. “The kid comes in, he’s very athletic. He gives us a boost off the bench, which a lot of team don’t have, so it’s nice when you sub and bring in a guy who can score.

“Isaiah is really good when he drives. That’s kind of his role right now,. He comes in and get’s a lot of minutes. He’s playing starter’s minutes, basically. He provides us a spark.”

Gipson wasn’t alone.

Kaneland’s Jake Buckley (55) maneuvers for a shot under the basket against Winnebago during a nonconference game in Maple Park on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)

Jake Buckley, a 6-4, 265-pound post, came off the bench and scored all eight of his points in the game on four straight possessions as the Knights put the game on ice at 42-20 at halftime.

Gipson finished with eight rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot. Buckley, a North Central College football recruit, closed with seven rebounds and one block.

“He’s been working hard,” Colombe said of Buckley. “Obviously, he’s a football guy. That’s his sport, but he puts a ton of time in in basketball and has really improved.

“If he gets the ball down inside in the box, like he did (Wednesday night), at 265 pounds, he’s tough. He plays with a lot of energy and is always cheering for his teammates.”

Buckley pointed out that he lifts weights every morning, following a program provided by NCC.

Kaneland’s Isaiah Gipson (2) moves ball up the court against the Winnebago during a nonconference game in Maple Park on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)

“Basketball is a way for me to get up and down and stay in shape,” he said. “Just a way for me to stay active. I’ve wanted to play basketball since I was 5. I knew football was going to be my track, but I never wanted to quit basketball for a second. I knew I’d stick to it through high school.”

Gipson, who wants to play basketball in college, has spoken with both junior college and NCAA Division III coaches.

Since the Knights’ supersectional run last season, he has focused on his game as well.

“I knew I had to make better decisions with the ball, work on my jump shot and also see the floor better,” Gipson said. “I was always a good drive but I had other parts I needed to fix.

“I’m just trying to get my name out there.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/08/isaiah-gipson-kaneland-winnebago-ihsa-boys-basketball/