Oak Forest’s varsity basketball team fought hard but fell short in its non‑conference matchup against Kaneland, dropping a 64–48 decision.
The game was played on Feb. 11 at Kaneland High School.
The Bengals showed flashes of resilience, converting all of their free throws and battling on defense with three blocks. They finished with 23 rebounds and nine assists, but their shooting touch never quite clicked. Oak Forest hit 34 percent from the field and just 24 percent from beyond the arc, numbers that made it difficult to keep pace with Kaneland’s efficient offense.
The Bengals limited turnovers and worked to create second‑chance opportunities, but Kaneland’s control of the glass with 33 rebounds overall kept Oak Forest from closing the gap. This setback impacts Oak Forest’s current standing, as the loss came against an undefeated opponent and underscored the challenges of maintaining momentum late in the season. The Bengals dropped their record to 19-9. This defeat echoes last season’s struggles against the Knights, when Oak Forest dropped a home game 67–31 in February 2025.
Looking ahead, Oak Forest will host a familiar rival, Hillcrest, on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
The Hawks ended Oak Forest’s playoff run last year with a 63–50 victory.