That’s who: BJ Powell, first freshman to make Lincoln-Way East’s varsity, helps down Bloom in 2 OTs. ‘I got used to it.’

It wasn’t a slam dunk freshman BJ Powell was going to make Lincoln-Way East’s varsity.

The 5-foot-10 guard with a skinny frame graduated from Summit Hill Junior High and was almost immediately practicing with the Griffins during summer camp in June.

Hiccups? There were a few.

“I struggled a little bit against the bigger and stronger guards,” Powell said of his first few practices. “Then I got used to it.”

Then there was the fact that Rich Kolimas, the program’s coach from the school’s beginning in 2001-02, had never brought up a freshman to the varsity.

But Kolimas did promote Powell, who helped the Griffins keep a 13-game winning streak alive with a wild 79-75 come-from-behind victory over Bloom in Chicago Heights.

Senior guard Tylon Toliver led Lincoln-Way East (15-1) with 29 points, including a deep buzzer-beater in regulation to keep a game going that eventually went double overtime.

Junior guard Matt Hudik, who did not play in regulation, hit a tying 3-pointer with 19 seconds left Wednesday night to help send the game into the second OT.

Senior forward George Bellevue, who finished with 17 points, made two free throws with 7 seconds remaining in the second OT to ice the hard-earned victory.

Bloom (11-5) was led by senior guard Raeshom Harris with 30 points, while sophomore guard Elijah Lovemore added 15.

The Blazing Trojans had a 58-47 lead with 2:07 left in regulation before Powell ignited the rally, scoring 13 points in the final two minutes of regulation and eight minutes of OT.

“He brings a lot of things to the table — I love this kid,” said Toliver, who scored nine points in the final two minutes of regulation. “He’s cold. He’s a freshman and he has a lot of moves. He locks down on defense.

“Man, you can’t even tell he’s a freshman.”

Kolimas said it wasn’t until the team played in the fall that he made the call on Powell.

“Honestly, it was a late decision,” Kolimas said. “It wasn’t as clear cut. I normally don’t even bring up sophomores.

“When everyone accepted him, that’s when I knew. Talent-wise, there wasn’t a question. When he was accepted, we brought him up.”

Playing an extra eight minutes of high-intensity basketball, meanwhile, may have not been what the doctor ordered for the busy Blazing Trojans.

Bloom is in the middle of a stretch of six games in 10 days to open the 2023 portion of the season. It included a 64-52 loss to Kenwood, the top-ranked team in Class 4A according to The Associated Press.

The Blazing Trojans also were missing 6-5 junior Jaden Clark and 6-7 senior Jayden Watson due to injuries. Lovemore and Payton Edwards, both sophomores, have been getting a baptism under fire.

On the flip side, the future looks bright for Powell. And Toliver, who said he has received looks from NAIA and NCAA Division III programs, is trying to raise his stock.

The show he put on Wednesday could help boost his profile.

“Ty is one of those guys who plays under control normally,” Kolimas said. “The game looks like it is in slow motion to him. He’s made some big shots for us in the past.

“He didn’t have the best overall game, but at key moments obviously, he stepped up and played big.”

The 6-2 Toliver wants to keep playing the sport because it helps him off the court as well.

“I like the lessons you learn playing basketball,” Toliver said. “I learned that whenever something doesn’t go your way, next play. That’s the way it is in life.”

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.