Extra Points: H-F's Tim Williams Progressing Nicely on Court After Dislocating Ankle

When Homewood-Flossmoor junior Tim Williams went to the doctor for the first time after dislocating his ankle back in November, there was one question he couldn’t wait to get answered.

When could he return?

“When my doctor told me I’d be back in late February, I was thinking that’s great, just in time for the playoff run,” Williams said. “Hopefully, I can help my team go downstate.”

Williams suffered his injury two days after leading H-F’s football team as the quarterback to the Class 8A state semifinals before losing to Mount Carmel 28-21. Williams was playing a pick-up basketball game with friends when he landed on his right ankle and knew immediately something was wrong.

The 6-foot-7 junior forward, who averaged 11.8 points and 6.2 rebounds as a sophomore, was motivated during his rehabilitation because he wanted to be part of what has the potential to be a special postseason for the Vikings.

Williams returned to action Feb. 18 and contributed nine points in a win over Bolingbrook. He had his best game of the season Wednesday when he had 16 points, six rebounds and a blocked shot in H-F’s 66-34 victory over Marian Catholic in the Class 4A Plainfield Central Regional semifinal.

“When the injury first happened, it wasn’t looking too good (to return), but my doctor told me at rehab that I was progressing real well, so I knew I would come back. I still have to get back in shape a little bit. I have to get my minutes up, but as long as my coach rotates me in and out I should be pretty good. I think I’m at about 93, 95 percent.”

Homewood-Flossmoor coach Jim McLaughlin is glad to have Williams back and knows the difference he can make when healthy.

“He was focused today,” McLaughlin said. “He’s now made it through two weeks of practice and he’s starting to get more mobile and moving a lot better. There’s nothing wrong with the ankle, he just has the normal aches and pains that players go through at the beginning of the year. He’s making his way through that and obviously had a great game. It’s great having him back.”

Up next: H-F will now be seeking its eighth consecutive regional championship when it takes on Plainfield Central at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the regional final. The Wildcats defeated Thornwood 64-63 in overtime.

“We took the first step (Wednesday) and we’ll try and get ready for Friday,” McLaughlin said. “We’re just going to take it one game at a time, but it’s nice to have all the pieces back and be back at full strength.”

Three-point Shootout: Marian Catholic’s Justin Kennedy and H-F’s David Fatoki each advanced to the regional final of the IHSA’s Three-Point Showdown. Fatoki made eight three-pointers, while Kennedy won a shoot-off against H-F’s Demontie Williams after both made seven. Joliet West’s Brandon Tyson (9 made shots) and Kendall Williamson (8) also moved on to the next round.

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