Boys Basketball: Donald Moore powers Bloom past Leo

Updated: December 17, 2011 8:54PM

Donald Moore knows his role on Bloom’s team. It’s basically to do whatever it takes when his team is struggling.

The senior guard did just that in leading the No. 7 Blazing Trojans to a 54-42 victory over Leo in Chicago Heights.

“The team was being lackadaisical early on,” Moore said. “I knew I had to pick it up on the offensive end.”

Leo jumped out to a 9-2 lead even without Russell Woods who was benched for breaking a team rule. Sean Moore, Jr., Blake Wilson and Tybias Scott all contributed baskets to the Lions (4-4) hot start. Bloom (8-0) was forced to call a timeout about midway through the first quarter to cool off Leo.

Moore responded to the timeout by reeling off 12 points and giving Bloom a 14-12 first quarter lead. Moore made six of his seven shot attempts and scored all 14 first quarter points for Bloom.

“This is Donald’s third year on the varsity,” Bloom coach Jasper Williams said. “He is one of our leaders. He took it upon himself to get us going.”

Moore’s offensive outburst seemed to motivate his team in the second quarter especially on defense. The Blazing Trojans outscored Leo 19-4 in the second quarter to take over the game and stake itself out to a 33-16 halftime lead that would never be threatened.

The Blazing Trojans increased their defensive intensity and forced Leo to shoot 22% from the field while the Lions committed seven turnovers in the quarter.

Offensively, Bloom became more diversified. The Blazing Trojans got points from four other players including Lajavius Johnson, Dejahown Freeman, Zerell Jackson and Jataryan Dejaraux.

“Freeman, Jackson and [Nyhree] Mitchell did a real good job coming off the bench,” Williams said. “They provided a lot of energy especially defensively. We have a deep bench so we can go to it when we need it.”

Moore finished with 23 points to lead both teams. Johnson scored 13 points.

Karon Braggs led the Lions with 12 points.

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