Boys Basketball: Bloom Title Bid Falls Short

The Hot Read: Three players scored in double figures as Crete-Monee notched a 58-39 boys basketball victory over Bloom on Friday night. The Warriors captured sole possession of the Southland Athletic Conference title. The Blazing Trojans were limited to just one basket in the fourth quarter after hanging within 40-33 and saw their hopes of gaining a share of the conference championship dashed.

Patch's MVP: Crete-Monee's Greg Mays scored 18 points and pulled down seven rebounds in the Warriors' victory.

Key Stats: Bloom made 5-of-19 shots in the second half. The Trojans, however, outrebounded the Warriors 22-12.

Bloom Leaders: Jeremy Roberson (10 points, 7 rebounds.), Dejahown Freeman (7 points), Johnny Griffin (6 points).

Crete-Monee Leaders: Greg Mays (18 points, 7 rebounds), James Crockett (14 points, 2 blocks), Michael Orris (10 points, 2 assists).

Quotable: Bloom coach Jasper Williams: "We get behind and battle back, but then we start making mistakes and the other team just starts running away. We need to not fall behind, but I'm very proud of our first three quarters."

Team Records: Crete Monee closes regular-season play at 21-3 and 9-1 in the Southland Athletic Conference. Bloom is 15-11 and 7-3.

What's Next: Bloom will take on the winner of Thornton Fractional South and Plainfield South in the Crete-Monee Regional on Tuesday.