Whitney Young impresses in Rockford opener

Defending Class 4A state champion Whitney Young of Chicago dominated East in both teams first appearance in the RPS205 Tip-Off Classic in Tuesday's second game at East.

The Dolphins rolled up a 19-9 first-quarter lead and expanded it to 38-19 at halftime. East actually outscored Whitney Young 39-34 in the second half but couldn't get closer than 10 points. Whitney Young kept a comfortable cushion by hitting 16 of 18 free throws in the fourth quarter.

Javon Freeman and Xavier Castanada, two of three returning starters from last year's state title team, each scored 18 points to lead the Dolphins. Myles Baker added 14 points. Justin Boyd, the third returning starter, had nine points and was 6-for-6 from the free throw line.

East's Chris Burnell led all scorers with 22 points. Scott Gowan had 16 points for the E-Rabs and She'den Clanton chipped in 11.

BOXSCORE

Chicago Whitney Young 72, Rockford East 58
(At East High School)

Whitney Young    19    19    11    23 -- 72
East                       9    10    17    22 -- 58

Whitney Young -- Freeman 6 6-6 18, Baker 5 2-3 14, Jones 3 1-5 7, Boyd 1 6-6 9, Warren 1 0-0 2, Castanada 4 10-16 18, Njie 1 0-0 2, Nalls 0 2-2 2, Totals 21 27-36 72.
East -- Burnell 9 4-5 22, Carey 1 0-2 2, Clanton 4 3-5 11, Dickens 2 0-0 5, Gowan 5 3-4 16, Pennington 0 2-2 2, Totals 21 12-18 58.
3pt FG -- Whitney Young 3 (Baker 2, Boyd); East 4 (Dickens, Gowan 3).