Whitney Young too fast for Larkin

ROCKFORD - Chicago Whitney Young used versatility to offset Elgin Larkin's size in a 70-64 win over the Royals.

The Dolphins opened up a 45-36 lead in the second half only to see Elgin Larkin rip off 10 straight points to seize the lead. Javon Freeman responded with back-to-back three-pointers for Whitney Young to regain the advantage and change the strategic outlook for the game.

At that point, the Dolphins began spreading Elgin Larkin out and giving the ball at the half court line to whoever was being guarded by 6-10 Larkin center Jalen Shaw. While Shaw remained a mismatch on the offensive end, there was no one on the floor he could guard on the perimeter and the Dolphins were able to trade baskets the rest of the way. The Royals never cut the advantage to less than five.

Freeman's 19 led the Dolphins, who improved to 4-0 in the Tip-Off Classic and have one game left tomorrow at 5:30 a.m. against Auburn. Myles Baker scored 14 and Keenan Jones added 12.

Shaw scored 15 of his game-high 21 points in the second half for Larkin. Pierre Black was the only outside threat for the Royals, with six three-pointers among his 19 points. Anthony Lynch added 16. Only five Royals scored.

BOXSCORE

Chicago Whitney Young 70, Elgin Larkin 64
(At Guilford High School)

Whitney Young  19  17  19  15  -  70
Elgin Larkin       12  18  17  17  -  64

Whitney Young - Freeman 7 2-2 19, Baker 5 2-5 14, K. Jones 4 1-2 9, Castaneda 4 0-1 9, Njie 2 0-0 4, Sentwali 1 1-1 3. Totals 27 9-16 70.
Elgin Larkin - Black 6 1-2 19, Perez 2 0-0 5, Morris 1 1-1 3, Lynch 7 2-5 16, Shaw 6 9-13 21. Totals 22 13-21 64.
3-pointers: Whitney Young 7 (Freeman 3, Baker 2, Jones, Castaneda), Larkin 7 (Black 6, Perez).