Bloom Basketball Team Honored by City of Chicago Heights

After an eventful weekend, the Bloom Township High School basketball team got a warm reception inside the Chicago Heights City Hall building Monday.

Having made it to the final four in the Class 4A State Tournament, Mayor David Gonzalez and the city council, along with City Treasurer Jim Dee and City Clerk Lori Wilcox, felt the team deserved some special recognition.

“Even more, being a graduate of Bloom . . . it was just amazing,” Gonzalez said to the Blazing Trojans as they sat in the council chambers. “We have so much pride in the school. You young men elevated that pride to a higher level.”

Gonzalez presented the team with a plaque and took several photos with them. Bloom Principal Rhona Israel, Superintendent Lenell Navarre and Board President Henry Drake we all on hand for the presentation.

"It's been a long season, a great season," said Coach Jasper Williams. "We owe this to the 2011-2012 basketball team."

Fourth Ward Ald. Josh Deabel, who played basketball for Bloom as well, empathized with the team falling short of their ultimate goal.

"I know how they feel," Deabel said. "It's frustrating because you want to go all the way, but they did an amazing job making it to the final four."