Hoops: These Boys are Flying High

1. Homewood-Flossmoor (22-5): Tim Williams, a 6-7 junior forward, looks more and more like his old self every time out. He returned from an ankle injury recently to give the Vikings a bigger presence in the lane. When opponents collapse on him, H-F has more room to operate on the perimeter. The Vikings hit 9-of-16 three-pointers through the first three quarters in a 66-34 victory over Marian Catholic. Next: Tonight vs. Plainfield Central in Class 4A Plainfield Central Regional title game.

2. Bloom (16-10): The Blazing Trojans’ season has played out like a roller-coaster ride. One day, they’re up. The next day, they’re down. Junior guard Donald Moore led the latest uptick. He scored 12 points, had three assists and three steals in a 41-34 victory over Plainfield South. The question is whether Bloom can sustain its momentum against the Southland Athletic Conference kingpin. Next: Tonight vs. Crete-Monee in Class 4A Crete-Monee Regional title game.

3. Brother Rice (19-7): The Crusaders raced to a 24-4 lead and then worked through the second half to stave off Reavis 67-53. Alex Majewski scored 20 points and Bobby Harmening added 19. And they’ll need to continue to supply a 1-2 punch because the going gets tougher. Next: Tonight vs. Lyons Township in the Class 4A Brother Rice Regional title game.

4. Andrew (16-10): Jubril Adekoya and the Thunderbolts cracked one of the first T-Bolts of March Madness in a 48-39 victory over Stagg. Adekoya finished with 12 points and eight rebounds. Andrew made eight straight free throws in the waning moments to close out the victory in front of a packed house in Palos Hills. Next: Tonight vs. Lockport in Class 4A Stagg Regional title game.

5. Stagg (21-6): Once the sting of the Chargers’ setback to district rival and old nemesis Andrew wears off, Darius Draper and company will fall back on fond memories of a joyous season. End of line: Stagg’s season ended Tuesday in a 48-39 loss to Andrew.

Next best (in alphabetical order): Lincoln-Way East, Marist, Oak Lawn, Sandburg, Tinley Park.

(Covering the following Patch communities: Chicago Heights, Evergreen Park, Frankfort, Homewood-Flossmoor, Mokena, New Lenox, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Orland Park, Palos, Tinley Park and the neighboring private schools that draw students from those communities).