Bloomfield Edges Granby In Division IV Basketball Thriller

UNCASVILLE, CT — After falling behind 7-0 in the first two minutes of Sunday's Division IV basketball championship game against Granby, Bloomfield battled back to tie it on consecutive 3-point shots by Cayden Smith, then took a 2-point lead by the end of the first quarter and a 4-point margin at halftime.

After stretching the lead to nine late in the third quarter, it suddenly dissipated on the Warhawks, as Granby's Justin Phillips tied the score with 3:06 to play. From there, however, Bloomfield regained control, scoring six of its final eight points from the free throw line to hold on for a 58-54 victory and the program's sixth state championship, and first since 2008.

Howard Simpson was a key contributor at both ends of the floor, accounting for 23 points and 14 rebounds, including seven off the offensive glass. Smith was the only other Warhawk in double figures, finishing with 12 points. Jansyn Booth added 10 rebounds for the winners.

For Granby, Phillips tallied 16 points and Joshua Brown and John Bell each scored a dozen. Bell added 11 rebounds.

The Bears were seeking their first state title since an epic comeback double-overtime win over Weaver in 2013.