Sports
Boys Basketball: Bloom Advances to Crete-Monee Regional Title Game
Bloom 41, Plainfield South 34. Bloom's methodical style pays off against Plainfield South, as the Blazing Trojans move on to face Crete-Monee for the third time this season on Friday.
The Hot Read: Bloom had a tough finish to the regular season, losing three in a row. The postseason, however, gave the Blazing Trojans new life, and Bloom fed off the energy of the playoffs for a strong start. Known for their methodical style of play, the Blazing Trojans were extra careful to take good shots and play good defense in Tuesday night’s regional semifinal at Crete-Monee. In a very slow game, Bloom led 7-2 after the first quarter and eventually pushed its lead to 14-4 when junior guard Donald Moore scored on a fast-break lay-up.
Bloom led 19-9 at halftime, but Plainfield South fought back as its offense picked up in the second half. In the fourth quarter, the Cougars pulled to within two points at 27-25 and again at 29-27. But Moore took over the game, scoring four straight points and making two steals during the stretch, and Bloom claimed the 41-34 victory.
Patch’s MVP: Bloom junior guard Donald Moore (12 points, 3 assists, 3 steals).
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Key Stats: Bloom allowed Plainfield South to make only eight field goals—partly because of Bloom’s defense and partly because of Bloom’s patience on offense.
Bloom’s Leaders: In addition to Moore: Sophomore guard Dejahown Freeman (11 points, 2 rebounds), senior forward Robert Rochon (3 points, 5 rebounds) and junior guard LeJavius Johnson (11 points, 4 rebounds).
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Plainfield South’s Leaders: Senior forward Zachary Snowden (13 points), junior forward William Nixon (8 points, 10 rebounds) and junior guard Edvinas Presniakovas (6 points).
Quotable: Bloom coach Jasper Williams on his team’s third quarter struggles: “We got too tentative in the third quarter. We told the kids take good shots. But when we tell the kids take good shots, they want to hold the ball for too long. And (Plainfield South) got more aggressive than we did.”
Team Records: Bloom: 16-11. Plainfield South: 20-7.
What’s Next: Bloom faces Crete-Monee for the third time this season on Friday in the championship game of the Crete-Monee Regional. Plainfield South’s season is over.
