Boys Basketball: Bloom off to strong start

At 5-0 entering Tuesday night’s game against Thornwood, Bloom coach Jasper Williams is pleased with his team’s start, which includes a win over SouthtownStar preseason No. 1 Homewood-Flossmoor and the championship at the Chicago Heights Classic.

Williams, though, sees room for improvement.

“It means a lot to the kids, but not much for me,” said Williams of the No. 1 Blazing Trojans’ early accomplishments. “All the kids love to see their name in the paper and on top of the polls. But the coaching staff’s goal is to make sure the team is playing better in March than they are now.”

The Blazing Trojans have received contributions from many, with Donald Moore and Lejavius Johnson leading the charge.

As good as Moore has played, averaging approximately 20 points per game, Williams would like to see his senior improve his shot selection.

“He’s still taking shots that I frown upon a little bit,” Williams said. “But his practice habits have improved, and he hit the weight room. It’s taken a little longer than we expected for him to get to this stage. This is his third year on the varsity. There’s still room for him to grow, especially for what we expect from him at the end of games. He’s going to have to score for us and be a leader on the floor. He’s been doing those things for us.”

Early season success is fine, but what matters most to Williams is constant improvement.

He’s confident this team has what it takes to return the tradition-rich program to prominence.

“This team has a chance to do that for us,” Williams said. “They can put Bloom basketball back on the map. I’m pleased with the start.”

H-F bounces back

Homewood-Flossmoor has won two straight, including an impressive 57-47 win Saturday over Morgan Park, since dropping a 70-65 double-overtime contest to Bloom.

“If there is such a thing as a good loss, the loss to Bloom was a good loss,” H-F coach Jim McLaughlin said. “We know we have the talent to go a long way.”

The Vikings’ big three of seniors Tim Williams, Tyrone Sherman and Delvon Rencher has played well. Rencher has spent his entire career on the varsity, Williams and Sherman three years.

But if Maurius Hill continues to perform like he did against Morgan Park, contributing a team-high 16 points and seven rebounds, the Vikings could develop into an even bigger juggernaut.

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