For the Bloom Trojans, it wasn’t how they started that counted as much as how they finished Thursday night.
Trailing the first three quarters, Bloom went on an 18-8 spurt in the fourth quarter to edge SICA East rival and 12th-ranked Thornridge 41-39 in Chicago Heights. The victory kept Bloom (10-4) perfect in the rugged conference at 4-0, while Thornridge (13-5, 2-2) dropped its third in a row and fourth in its last five.
Bloom took the lead for good at 40-37 with 1 minute 46 seconds remaining on a three-pointer by Aaron Austin.
“I wanted to pass to C.C. (Malone) but he wasn’t open so I took the shot,” said Austin, who led the Trojans with 13 points.
Von Steuben 55, Lincoln Park 54: James Tarver’s tip-in with 5.3 seconds left gave Von Steuben (10-5, 3-2) the Red North victory. Tarver led Von Steuben with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Romaine Hicks led No. 17 Lincoln Park (12-4, 3-1) with 18.
“This is a win that could put us in contention in the league,” Von Steuben coach Clinton Lewis said. Von Steuben is a half-game behind Lincoln Park and Prosser in the Red North.
Prosser 72, Taft 50: Randy Thomas scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Javier Sanchez added 15 points as No. 18 Prosser (13-1, 4-1) rolled in the Red North.
Kenwood 57, Kennedy 37: Steven Hankle scored 17 points and Clifford Perry added 15 to lead Kenwood (8-4, 3-1) in the Blue Central.
Mather 69, Kelvyn Park 58: Reginald Hunt’s 26 points led the Rangers (10-6, 5-0) in the Blue North.
North Shore 58, Lake Forest Academy 32: Calvin Robinson scored 18 points to lead North Shore (7-9, 2-3) in the Independent School League.
Schurz 58, Senn 57: Schurz (6-9, 3-2) hung on in the Blue North behind Ivan Smith (26 points).
Steinmetz 73, Lake View 48: Allen Holcomb scored 27 points and Darnell Ware added 20 as Steinmetz (10-8, 3-2) rolled in the Red North.
Sullivan 67, Lane Tech 63: Sullivan (4-8, 1-4) erased an 18-point halftime deficit to upset Lane (11-4, 3-2) in the Red North. Nicholas Henry scored 22 points for Sullivan, which trailed 41-23 at the half.