Kellen Thornton’s blocked shot leads Hillcrest to a 39-38 win over Thornwood

Kellen Thornton, No. 9 Hillcrest’s 6-6 center, has heard all the talk about being too soft. He’s mastered the art of flexibity however, bending, twisting and finessing for 19 points and 12 rebounds against the No. 13 Thunderbirds…

Thornton’s block of Thornwood guard Colby Johnson’s shot in the lane with five seconds to play was a game-saver. The block sailed into the hands of Trey Blue, who passed to Cameron Snelling, who missed a three pointer as time expired.

Thornwood jumped out to a 15-4 lead, but the Hawks cut it to four by halftime. Hillcrest took its first lead with 32 seconds to play in the third quarter on a basket by Elliott Jones (seven points).

A jumper from Thornton with 2:49 to play put the Hawks up by six, but the Thunderbirds tied things up on consecutive threes by Snelling.

Howard Deramus (five steals) and Dashawn Dockery (three points) led Hillcrest’s defensive effort.

Blue led Thornwood with 14 points and Snelling added eight.