Bloom Trojans Make History Signing 4 Players to Division 1

When Dante Maddox Jr. was a little boy, he would go with his dad to Bloom high school and dribble a basketball around the players his dad was coaching.

Looking up to those high school athletes, they seemed like giants. His dream was to get a basketball scholarship for college. On November 13^th, that dream would come true. Maddox Jr, along with three other Bloom Township high school basketball players each signed Division 1 scholarships.

“I always dreamed of this moment right here, right now” smiles Maddox Jr. “This means a whole lot. I’m the first member of my family to play athletically at the Division one level, this is inspirational.”

Maddox Jr. is both a point and shooting guard for the Bloom Trojans. In August, he steps on the basketball court for Cal State-Fullerton. “This is a stepping- stone to my career” adds Maddox Jr. “It’s a milestone, I’m happy to check off. “Maddox Jr. plans to study broadcast journalism

“I’ve had a lot of mentors at Bloom” explains Maddox Jr. “The biggest mentor happens to be my father, he is also the high school’s head coach. I’ve been working here my whole life, shooting since I was a kid, putting up shots. Off the court he has been a tremendous part of my character and development as a young man. He’s helped me get as far as I’ve gotten.”

Coach Maddox Jr. stood up to pose for a photo with his father and coach in front of a blue Bloom background.

“Not only has he brought me up in the game, he’s brought me up in the Bloom tradition, the Bloom culture, it’s a big part of my life. I couldn’t have dreamt of going anywhere else.”

Bloom Township has broken a new record with the signing of four players from the same basketball team, signing to Division 1 schools. Dr. Lenell Navarre, Superintendent of Bloom Township District 206 couldn’t be prouder.

“This is very exciting for the district” said Dr. Navarre. “I remember these kids coming in as freshman, to see them grow over the last four years, always having that conversation to go further in their education. They not only get it done on the basketball court, they’re great students as well.” The four students, Donavan Newby, Dante Maddox Jr., Keshawn Williams and Martice Mitchell have a combined GPA average over a 3.0.

“In life sometimes we focus too much on area of weaknesses, we should look at the areas of strength and that’s what we do here” said Dr. Navarre.

For Keshawn Williams from Sauk Village, this day was also very important. “Today means everything, all our hard work paid off” said Williams. “I started playing basketball when I was at Rickover grade school. Then I started playing for Orange Crush before high school.”

Williams also plays point guard and shooting guard for Bloom Township Trojan basketball team.

“Right now is the biggest elevation in my game” explains Williams. “I’m really going to miss being around this basketball team. We had so much fun when we went to Pontiac and being on the court. Our chemistry is indescribable.”

Williams received a scholarship to University of Tulsa. “When I went on my college visit there, I knew I was at home.”

He wanted to leave a motto for the younger players that will be coming up to be a Bloom Trojan. “Keep working you’ll always achieve your goals. Never give up, one time it gets tough just do what you do, you will succeed.”

Two other Bloom Township players, Donavan Newby signed with University of Milwaukee and Martice Mitchell signed with University of Minnesota.