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Boys basketball: Bloomingdale 59, East Lake 54

 
Published Feb. 12, 2016

VALRICO — DJ Thompson and his teammates weren't around when Bloomingdale won its first region playoff game. They were for the second one, a 59-54 victory Thursday against East Lake in a Class 7A quarterfinal.

Bloomingdale (20-5), whose only previous playoff win came in 1994 in an 82-80 victory over Northeast, held off a late threat by the Eagles (17-9) with a 17-of-19 performance at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.

The Bulls had to shine at the charity stripe after the Eagles rallied from eight-point deficits six times in the final quarter. Leading 57-54 with four seconds left, Bloomingdale survived a missed 3-point attempt by Chad Kellmann, and Thompson sank two foul shots to clinch the win.

"We shoot a lot of free throws in practice," said Thompson, a senior guard who scored 14 points. "We run, and (Coach Joe Willis) wants us to shoot while we're tired so we can get used to it and get in a rhythm."

Bloomingdale never trailed after scoring six consecutive points midway through the first quarter to wipe out a 5-4 deficit. Breon Hillmon kept East Lake close with 22 points, but he was not available to shoot a late potential tying trey after fouling out with 11.6 seconds left. Hillmon's last basket — a 3-pointer — pulled East Lake within 56-54 before fouling out.

"(East Lake) made some shots and give them all the credit in the world," Willis said. "But I give it to our guys for the resiliency that they showed. We made free throws when it mattered."

Nick Lewis (14), Nick Menia (12) and Drew Bethoney (10) also scored in double figures for Bloomingdale.

Kellmann finished with 13 points for East Lake.

"I'm proud of the team. … They fought hard," said East Lake coach Britt Taylor, whose Eagles were looking for their second playoff victory in school history. "I'm especially proud of my seniors: Michael Jackson, Dan Spielvogel and Michael Long."