Friday, November 17, 2017

Freeport



















No. - Player, Year, Height
0 - Cade Budenz, Sr., 6-0
1 - Daquaveon Jackson, Sr., 6-2
2 - Kijuan Burns, Jr., 5-11
3 - Deron Lacy, So., 5-8
4 - Nydra Cain, Jr., 6-2
5 - Paris O'Bryant, Jr., 6-1
10 - Wayne Miller, Sr., 5-6
12 - Andrew Simmons, Jr., 5-8
21 - Rayshon Cooley, Jr., 5-11
22 - Brady Katzenberger, Jr., 6-2
23 - Myterrion Carter, Sr, 6-3
24 - Grant Luecke, Sr., 6-5
25 - Austin Flemming, Jr., 6-2

About Freeport
Mascot: Pretzels
Conference: NIC-10
Team Colors: Orange/Black
Enrollment: 1,189
Principal: Beth Summers
Athletic Director: Jeff Fitzpatrick
Head Coach: Ryan Pierce
Assistant Coaches: TJ Jackson

Notes:
  • Freeport finished 9-19 last season.
  • The Pretzels have several players returning from last year and will be led by senior guard Cade Budenz and senior forward MyTerrion Carter.
  • This is Freeport’s third season in the Tip-Off Classic. The Pretzels have gone 2-6.


Madison LaFollette

No. - Player, Pos.
2 - Geiontae Glossen, G/F 3 - Anthony West, G 4 - Drekwon Smith, G
5 - Ben Probst, G
10 - Elias Sobah, G
11 - Deron Mitchell, F
13 - Carter Ring, G
20 - Case McCutchin
21 - Sam Schmitt, G
22 - Julian Patton, G
23 - Nate Seward, G
35 - Alex Berg, F
About La Follette
Mascot: Lancers
Conference: Big Eight
Team Colors: Cardinal/Gray
Enrollment: 1,559
Principal: Sean Storch
Athletic Director: Kevin Porter
Head Coach: Curtrel Robinson
Assistant Coaches: Rykker Erickson, Greg Ewelt, Jeff Rayford
Notes:
  • The Lancers won WIAA state titles in 1977, 1982 and 2002. The 2002 team was led by Michael Flowers, who went on to play for University of Wisconsin, and Quincy Henderson, who played for Creighton University.
  • Robinson, who is in his fourth season as head coach, is a La Follette alum.


Thursday, November 16, 2017

Rockford East











No. - Player, Height, Year, Pos.
0 - Tyvionne Horton, 5-7, Sr., G
2 - Justin Robinson, 6-0, Sr., G
3 - Chris Burnell, 6-3, Jr., G
4 - William Carey, 6-4, Sr., F
10 - Dorian Jones, 5-9, Sr., G
12 - Sha'den Clanton, 6-5, Jr., G/F
13 - Zylik Banks, 6-0, Sr., G
15 - DeVontae Sims, 6-1, Sr., F
21 - Damarion Dickens, 5-7, Jr., G
22 - Samuel Jones, 6-0, Sr., G
23 - Scott Gowan, 6-3, Sr., G
25 - Evan Bell, 6-3, Jr., G
33 - Chris Hodge, 5-9, Jr., G
40 - Marcus Pennington, 6-5, Jr., F

About East
Mascot: E-Rabs
Conference: NIC-10
Team Colors: Red/Black
Enrollment: 1,994
Principal: Peter Verona
Athletic Director: Gary Griffin
Head Coach: Roy Sackmaster
Assistant Coaches: Mike Ayers, Cedric Wynn, Al Hunter, Cody Phillips

Notes:
  • East will play and host for the fourth straight season of the Tip-Off Classic. The E-Rabs are 4-8 in three years in this event.
  • Chris Burnell returns after averaging 18.3 points a game in this tournament last year. The 6-3 junior guard is getting Division I interest from several schools including Iowa, Wisconsin, Miami of Ohio and Northern Illinois University.
  • Scott Gowan also returns as a starter. A four-year varsity player, he is on pace to break the school record for made 3-point shots and to become a 1,000-point scorer.
  • Coach Roy Sackmaster is in his 13th season leading the E-Rabs. East finished 14-16 overall and 10-6 in the conference last year.

Belvidere













No. - Player, Pos., Height, Year

1 - Shawn Dean, F, 6-1, Sr.
2 - Andy Valladares, PG, 5-9, Jr.
3 - Phil Kolk, G, 5-11, Sr.
4 - Steven King, F, 6-1, Jr.,
5 - Kefonte Taylor, G, 6-0, Jr.
10 - Brady Hauser, G, 5-8, Sr.
11 - Travis Herschberger, F, 6-1, Jr.
14 - Kaleb Bowens, F, 5-11, Jr.
15 - Austin Hausen, G, 5-11, Jr.
20 - Camryn Taylor, F, 6-1, Jr.
21 - Zack Tobler, G, 5-10, Jr.
22 - Kalen Murray, F, 6-1, Sr.
23 - Adrion Dalipi, F, 6-3, Jr.
33 - August Winscher, C, 6-4, Jr.

About Belvidere
Mascot: Bucs
Conference: NIC-10
Team Colors: Purple/Gold
Enrollment: 1,263
Principal: Billy Lewis
Athletic Director: Tim Ballard
Head Coach: Aaron Pearson
Assistant Coaches: Nate Lister, Bob White, Matt Sattelberg

Notes:
  • The Bucs finished 17-14 last season and won its second straight Class 3A regional championship. It was the first time in program history that Belvidere has won back-to-back regional titles.
  • Two full-time players return in Phil Kolk and Shawn Dean.
  • Aaron Pearson is in his 11th season as head coach and has a 152-144 career record.
  • Belvidere is one of four teams that has participated in the Tip-Off Classic every year since its inaugural season in 2014.

Chicago Hyde Park






















No. - Player, Year, Height, Pos.
0 - Doral Means, Jr., 5-9, G
1 - Malik Onyeali, Sr., 6-2, G
2 - Ronald Williams, Jr., 6-2, G
3 - Andrew Anderson, sr., 5-9, G
4 - Isaiah Gayles, Sr., 6-2, G/F
5 - Braijon Johnson, Jr., 6-5, F/C
10 - Lavance Agee, Jr., 6-4, F
11 - Dequan Fairley, Sr., 6-2, G
12 - Jalen Houston, Fr., 6-0, G
15 - Jibril Greene, Sr., 6-2, G
21 - Kevin Barnhill, Sr., 6-6, C
23 - Dariece Gause, Jr, 5-10, G
24 - Joshua Harris, Jr., 6-3, F
25 - Darius Jones, Sr., 6-2, G
33 - Albert Jeffries, Jr., 6-5, F/C

About Hyde Park
Mascot: Thunderbirds
Conference: Chicago Public
Team Colors: Navy Blue/White
Enrollment: 724
Principal: Antonio Ross
Athletic Director: Alfonzo Lewis
Head Coach: Antonio Wiltz
Assistant Coaches: Erick Rozier, Eric Shuler, Wade Carter, Eugene Hinkle

Notes:
  • This is Hyde Park’s third year participating in the Tip-Off Classic. The Thunderbirds are undefeated in the event, winning the 2015 trophy with a 4-0 record and finishing 2-0 last year.
  • Hyde Park finished 15-10 last season. Point guard Andrew Anderson returns, and senior transfers Malik Onyeali and Jibreel Green are expected to be key contributors.
  • Wiltz is the third head coach in three years for Hyde Park.
  • The Thunderbirds have won five regional titles since 2003 and reached the supersectionals in 2009.

Rockford Jefferson











No. - Player, Pos., Year, Height
1 - Jeremiah Jones, G, Sr., 5-9
2 - Horace Massey, F, Jr., 6-2
3 - De'Lano Newble, G, Sr., 5-9
4 - James Dunner, F, Sr., 6-4
5 - Anthony Rhodes, F, Sr., 6-3
10 - Mike Powell, F, Sr., 6-2
11 - Jy'aire Robinson, G/F, Sr., 6-4
13 - Isaiah Hill, G, Sr., 5-8
21 - Antonio Henigan, G, Jr., 6-0
22 - Di'Ario Newble, G, So., 5-8
23 - Terry Ford, G, Sr., 6-1
24 - Quillen Dixon, G, Sr., 6-2
31 - Jordan Thomas, F, Sr., 6-4
32 - Jaquavion Robinson, G/F, So., 6-0
33 - MyQuion Garrett, F, Sr., 6-4

About Jefferson
Mascot: J-Hawks
Conference: NIC-10
Team Colors: Red/White/Gold
Enrollment: 1,632
Principal: Don Rundall
Athletic Director: Mike Armato
Head Coach: Todd Brannan
Assistant Coaches: Chris Dixon, Nate Green, Zach Larson
Notes:
  • The J-Hawks have won three regional titles since Brannan took over as head coach in 2008.
  • Jefferson finished 18-14 overall last season.
  • Jefferson’s best year was the 2004-2005 season when the J-Hawks finished fourth in the state in Class AA in one of the last years of the IHSA two-class system.
  • This is Jefferson’s second year in the Tip-Off Classic. The J-Hawks went 1-3 last year.

Chicago St. Rita















No. - Player, Year, Height, Pos.

1 - Reggie Ward, Fr., 6-2, G
2 - Jourdan Jackson, Jr., 6-0, G
3 - Joel Watts, So., 5-11, G
5 - Jordan Matthews, Sr., 6-0, G
10 - Stedmon Ihejirika, So., 6-5, F
15 - Lemone Lampley, Jr., 6-5, G
20 - Alec Millender, So., 6-0, G
22 - Myles Montaque, Jr., 6-4, G
23 - Landen Gladney, Sr., 6-5, G
24 - Doug Posley, Jr., 6-3, G
25 - Jeremiah Oden, Jr., 6-7, G
34 - Javon Cooley, Jr., 6-5, F
35 - Raymond Falk, Sr., 6-2, G
41 - Cameron Bartmann, Jr., 6-8, F

About St. Rita
Mascot: Mustangs
Conference: Chicago Catholic
Team Colors: Red/Blue
Enrollment: 1,172
Principal: Brendan Conroy
Athletic Director: Roshawn Russell
Head Coach: Gary DeCesare
Assistant Coaches: Kenton Terrell, Anthony Rappold, Emanuel Crosby, Brendan Mulligan

Notes:
  • St. Rita has won a regional title in three of the past four seasons. The Mustangs won a 3A regional last year and finished 19-11.
  • Nine players from last year’s team that reached the sectional championship return, including four-year varsity point guard Jordan Matthews and three-year varsity forward Landan Gladney.
  • DeCesare is in his ninth season as head coach. He has a 143-81 career record and has had only one losing season with the Mustangs.
  • This is St. Rita’s first trip to the Tip-Off Classic.
  • The all-male school was founded in 1905.

Hollywood (Fla.) McArthur



















No. - Player, Year, Height, Pos.
1 - Michael Labastille, Sr., 6-3, G
2 - Claude Brown, Jr., 6-6, F
3 - Elijah Gonzalez, Sr., 6-1, G
4 - Dave Francois, Sr., 6-5, Wing
5 - Jacob Narvaez, Sr., 6-3, G
10 - Isiah Woodstock, Sr., 6-0, PG
11 - Trevor Ward, So., 5-10, PG
12 - Javier Zapata, Jr., 5-11, G
14 - Melvin Dean, Sr., 6-0, G
21 - Nicholas Choi, Sr., 6-7, F
22 - Jaden Lindsey, Jr., 6-8, F
23 - Jordan Howard, So., 6-4, F

Head coach: Warren Gale
Assistants: Nick Moncayo, Kevin Riddick
Managers: Jessenia Gonzalez, Susan Schultz

Chicago Whitney Young












No. - Player, Pos., Height, Year
0 - Javon Freeman, G, 6-3, Sr.
2 - Myles Baker, G, 6-3, Jr.
3 - Keenan Jones, G, 6-4, Jr.
4 - James Drummond, G, 6-3, Jr.
5 - Justin Boyd, G, 6-4, Sr.
10 - Elliott Sieger, G, 6-1, So.
11 - Justin Warren, G, 6-0, Jr.
13 - Xavier Castaneda, G, 6-2, Sr.
15 - Jake Kosakowski, F, 6-6, Sr.
20 - Sangolay Njie, G, 6-5, So.
21 - Sentwali, Nalls, G, 6-1, Jr.
24 - Tyler Beard, F, 6-1, So.
25 - Tyler Bady, G, 6-2, Sr.
33 - Grant Newell, F, 6-5, Fr.

About Whitney Young
Mascot: Dolphins
Conference: Chicago Public
Team Colors: Orange/Navy
Enrollment: 1,856
Principal: Joyce Kenner
Athletic Director: Chris Cassidy
Head Coach: Tyrone Slaughter
Assistant Coaches: Brandon Bright, Jonathan James, Justin Bowen, Julian Kenner

Notes:
  • Whitney Young is the defending Class 4A IHSA State Champion. The Dolphins beat Chicago Simeon 60-50 in the title game and finished 27-5.
  • Three starters return from the state championship team in seniors Javon Freeman, Justin Boyd and Xavier Castaneda. The Dolphins also have young talent they’ll turn to in sophomores Tyler Beard and Elliott Sieger.
  • This is Slaughter’s 13th season as head coach. His teams have won a regional title every year but his first.
  • The Dolphins have won three state titles under Slaughter – 2009, 2014 and 2017 – and also finished second in 2010.
  • This is Whitney Young’s first trip to the Tip-Off Classic.

Janesville Parker

No. - Player, Year, Position, Height
1 - Kavion Ellison, Sr., G, 5-8
2 - Chris Galvan, Sr., F, 6-6
3 - A.J. Thompson, Jr., F, 6-3
4 - Brody Dahlke, Jr., G, 6-0
5 - Tremar Curry, Jr., G, 6-2
6 - Connor Stricklin, Jr., F, 6-4
7 - Andrew Meyers, Jr., F, 6-2
8 - Brody Lippens, Jr., G, 6-0
9 - John Bowers, Jr., G, 6-1
10 - Kortae Veladez, Jr., F, 6-4
11 - Toby Garvoille, Jr., F, 6-3
12 - Brady Biba, So., F, 6-4
13 - Robert DeLong, Fr., G, 6-0

About Parker
Mascot: Vikings
Conference: Big Eight
Team Colors: Green/Gold
Enrollment: 1,549
Principal: Chris Laue
Athletic Director: John Zimmerman
Head Coach: Keith Miller
Assistant Coaches: Steve Heilman

Notes:
  • Parker is coming off a season of injuries and youth, as they finished 0-23.
  • This year, 6-7 senior Chris Galvan is healthy and expected to lead. Other key returning players are Kavion Ellison, Tremar Curry, AJ Thompson and Brody Dahlke.
  • Parker won its lone state championship in 1971, beating Milwaukee King 79-68.
  • This is Parker’s third season participating in the Tip-Off Classic.

Rockford Guilford














No. - Player, Pos., Height, Year
4 - Le'Troy Hunter, G, 5-0, So.
5 - Martavius Reynolds, G, 5-11, Jr.
10 - Alejandro Rodriguez, G, 5-8, So.
12 - Jordan Jones, G, 6-0, Jr.
13 - Nikolas Stadelman, G, 5-10, So.
15 - Sean Maurer, F, 6-1, Jr.
21 - Deleon Lewis, G, 6-0, Jr.
22 - Jamil Jones, G, 6-2, Jr.
23 - Jack Ivanic, F, 6-3, Jr.
24 - Jeffrey Larssen, F, 6-0, Jr.
25 - Samuel Stewart, F, 6-3, Jr.
30 - Joshua Williams, G, 5-10, Jr.
33 - Tyler Knuth, F, 6-2, So.
40 - Jack Holmstom, F, 6-5, So.
45 - Nicholas Albers, C, 6-5, Sr.

About Guilford
Mascot: Vikings
Conference: NIC-10
Team Colors: Blue/White
Enrollment: 1,721
Principal: Gus Carter
Athletic Director: Augie Toldo
Head Coach: Dean Martinetti
Assistant Coaches: Avery Johnson, L.C. Robinson, Greg Fiorucci, Darrin Sisk
Notes:
  • Guilford finished 3-24 last season in Dean Martinetti’s fifth season as head coach.
  • Guilford’s best season in program history was 1992-1993 when the Vikings finished 27-7 and second in the state.
  • The Vikings have gone 1-7 in two years in the Tip-Off Classic.
  • Guilford will have a young team with five sophomores and just one senior in 6-5 center Nicholas Albers.


Chicago Perspectives

No. - Player, Height, Pos., Year
0 - Lafayette Johnson, 5-11, G, Jr.
1 - Jarvin Graham, 5-5, G, So.
2 - De'Kimrick Hooks, 5-10, G, Jr.
3 - Issac McKay, 6-2, F, Jr.
4 - Shawn Watts, 6-5, F, Sr.
5 - Rakwon Roberts, 6-1, G, Sr.
10 - Carlos Cortes, 5-11, G, Sr.
11 - Russell Johnson, 6-1, G, Jr.
12 - Karson Heins, 6-1, G, Sr.
13 - Zahlik Norwood, 5-9, G, Jr.
15 - Marshawn Goodwill, 6-4, F, Sr.
20 - Marlon Young, 5-11, G, Jr.
22 - Montreal Willis, 5-10, G, Sr.
25 - Elijah Harris, 6-0, G, Jr.
30 - Justin Gayles, 6-2, C, So.
32 - Armanie Wilson, 6-4, F, Sr.
x - Osiris Johnson, 6-5, C, Jr.
x - Joshua Rowry, 6-4, F, Jr.

About Perspectives
Mascot: Wolves
Conference: Chicago Public
Team Colors: Gray/Red/Black
Enrollment: 413
Principal: Stephen Todd
Athletic Director: Tiray Jackson
Head Coach: Waybon McConnell
Assistant Coaches: Marcellus Phelps, Emanuel Tillman, Duane Bowen

Notes:
  • This is the first year in the Tip-Off Classic for Perspectives, which is a charter school located on the south side of Chicago that opened in 1997.
  • NBA All-Star and Kentucky Wildcat Anthony Davis is an alum of Perspectives. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
  • The Wolves finished 11-15 last season in McConnell’s fourth year as head coach. Perspectives won a Class 2A regional title in his first season in 2014. 
  • Issac McKay and Shawn Watts are the two starters returning from the team that lost in the regional championship to Farragut last year.

Milwaukee Bay View




















No., Player, Height, Position, Grade
4 - Antwon Allen, 6-0, G, 12
5 - Breontae Hunt, 6-5, G, 12
10 - Kaleel McCray, 6-3, G, 10
11- Arius Smith, 6-0, G, 12
20 - Cordell Simmons, 6-3, G, 10
22 - Branden Strauss, 6-0, G, 12
23 - Malcolm Pickett, 6-4, F, 11
24 - Jemecko Price, 6-2, F, 12
25 - Charles Jackson, 6-1, G, 10
33 - Isiaiah Wright, 6-2, F, 12
34 - Kevin Cook, 6-6, F, 11
40 - Deonte Moses, 6-6, F, 11
42 - Darius Shaw, 6-1, F, 11
50 - Keith Turnbull, 6-3, F, 11

About Bay View
Mascot: Redcats
Conference: Milwaukee City
Team Colors: Scarlet Red/Black
Enrollment: 830
Principal: Sandra Peterson
Athletic Director: Jeffery Gaddis
Head Coach: Darryl Longley
Assistant Coaches: George Johnson, Tyson Kingsby, Isaiah Weatherall, Demetrius Boyd, Andre Cross

Notes:
  • Bay View is a 103-year-old school that was founded in 1914.
  • This is the second year Bay View will compete in the Tip-Off Classic. The Redcats finished 1-1 last year.
  • More than 20 Division I athletes have played for Bay View.

Elgin Larkin
















No. - Player, Year, Height
1 - Pierre Black, Jr., 6-0
2 - Keevon Campbell, Sr., 6-1
3 - Rolex Green, Sr., 6-0
4 - Jackson Reufer, Sr., 5-8
5 - Victor Perez, Sr., 6-1
10 - Kindrel Morris, Sr., 5-7
11 - Larenzo Coney, So., 5-10
12 - Latrell Hudson, Jr., 5-8
14 - Mattell MrCurry, Jr., 5-6
15 - Max Wiskirchen, Sr., 6-2
20 - Anthony Ramirez, Jr., 5-10
21 - Anthony Lynch, Sr., 6-3
22 - Trevell Cooks, Jr., 5-6
24 - Isaiah Talley, Sr., 6-4
25 - Chris Rose, Jr., 5-9
40 - Jalen Shaw, Sr., 6-10

About Larkin
Mascot: Royals
Conference: Upstate Eight
Team Colors: Royal Blue/White
Enrollment: 2,091
Principal: Jamie Crosen
Athletic Director: Ethan Karolczak
Head Coach: Deryn Carter
Assistant Coaches: Jon Winters, Deryl Carter

Notes:
  • Larkin won a Class 4A regional championship last year. It was the third regional title in seven years under Deryn Carter.
  • The Royals return most of their team, as there were only two seniors on last year’s roster. They will be particularly deep with guards led by senior Anthony Lynch, while 6-9 senior Jalen Shaw will be the team’s main force.
  • This is Larkin’s fourth season in the Tip-Off Classic. The Royals finished 3-2 last year, and then junior Jalen Shaw made first-team all-tournament.

Rockford Auburn















No. - Player, Pos., Height, Year
0 - Yahmir Muhammad, PG, 5-11, Sr.
1 - Joshua Ausler, PG, 5-11, Fr.
2 - Justin Blake, SF, 6-2, Jr.
3 - Da'Quayvious Thompson, SG, 5-9, Sr.
5 - Jamus Neal, SF, 5-11, Sr.
11 - Tyshawn Whitt, PG, 5-11, Jr.
12 - Austin Sturlin, SG, 5-10, Sr.
13 - Javin Davis, SF, 6-1, So.
14 - Demonde Barmore, PF, 6-2, Jr.
21 - Terry Purifoy, C, 6-3, Sr.
22 - Markus Burd, SG, 5-9, Jr.
24 - DiMaggio Aldridge, PF, 6-0, Sr.
25 - Elliott Gary, SF, 6-1, Jr.
33 - Maurice Williams, SF, 6-0, Jr.
35 - Nikola Cuca, C, 6-5, Jr.

About Auburn
Mascot: Knights
Conference: NIC-10
Team Colors: Red/Black
Enrollment: 1,865
Principal: Janice Hawkins
Athletic Director: Brad Pemberton
Head Coach: Bryan Ott
Assistant Coaches: Hosea Harris, Joe Danforth, David Stockton, Ryan Shelton

Notes:
  • Auburn is 10-2 in its three years of playing and hosting the Tip-Off Classic.
  • The Knights reached the IHSA Class 4A State Tournament twice in the past six years. Auburn finished fourth in 2016 and third in 2012.
  • Auburn head coach Bryan Ott has a 320-210 career record in 17 seasons leading the Knights.
  • They’ve won six regional and four sectional titles in the past nine years.
  • The Knights finished 17-12 last year and will be led by seniors Jamus Neal, Dimaggio Aldridge, Quay Thompson and Terry Purifoy. 

Sun-Times puts three Tip-Off Classic teams in top 13

If you go by the Chicago Sun-Times, three of the 15 teams you'll see in action next week at the 205 Tip-Off Classic are state title contenders.

Michael O'Brien's preseason rankings were released yesterday and he placed defending state champion Chicago Whitney Young at No. 4, Elgin Larkin No. 10 and Chicago St. Rita at No. 13.

Here's what O'Brien had to say about each.

Whitney Young:

"Starters Xavier Castaneda, Javon Freeman and Justin Boyd all return for the defending Class 4A champs. Junior Myles Baker and sophomore Tyler Beard both flashed impressive potential last season and will be key figures. Elliott Sieger, a sophomore point guard, transferred in from DePaul Prep. The Dolphins will be fast and fun to watch."

Elgin Larkin:

"Senior guard Anthony Lynch leads a deep group of guards but 6-9 senior Jalen Shaw is the big difference-maker. He can be a force offensively and defensively. If he finds consistency, the sky is the limit for the Royals."


Chicago St. Rita:


"The Mustangs don’t have a breakout superstar, but they have all the right pieces. Senior guard and leading scorer Jordan Matthews returns. Sophomore guard Joel Watts can play and there is plenty of size with 6-6 Jeremiah Oden, 6-8 Cam Bartman and 6-5 Landen Gladney."


Here are the days, times and gymnasiums you can go to see each:

Monday, Nov. 20 at Auburn

6 p.m.: Chicago St. Rita vs. Freeport

Tuesday, Nov. 21 at East

6 p.m.: Hollywood (Fla.) McArthur vs. Elgin Larkin
7:30 p.m.: Rockford East vs. Chicago Whitney Young

Tuesday, Nov. 21 at Guilford

7:30 p.m.: Guilford vs. Chicago St. Rita

Wednesday, Nov. 22 at East

10 a.m.: Hollwywood (Fla.) McArthur vs. Chicago Whitney Young

Wednesday, Nov. 22 at Jefferson

5:30 p.m: Chicago St. Rita vs. Belvidere
7 p.m.: Chicago Whitney Young vs. Jefferson

Friday, Nov. 24 at Guilford

1 p.m.: Chicago Whitney Young vs. Elgin Larkin

Friday, Nov. 24 at East

5:30 p.m.: Elgin Larkin vs. Rockford East

Friday, Nov. 24 at Auburn

7:30 p.m.: Auburn vs. Chicago St. Rita

Saturday, Nov. 25 at Jefferson

10 a.m.: Chicago St. Rita vs. Jefferson
1 p.m.: Jefferson vs. Elgin Larkin

Saturday, Nov. 25 at Auburn

5:30 p.m.: Auburn vs. Whitney Young

Monday, November 13, 2017

It takes a village ... to build a basketball tournament

The 205 Tip-Off Classic is in its fourth year and the competition keeps getting better, but it takes more than administrators making calls to convince teams to come to build a great basketball tournament.

Thanksgiving week is a chance for the Rockford basketball community to shine and the reason teams such as Hollywood (Fla.) McArthur and Elgin Larkin keep coming to Rockford and Chicago Whitney Young wanted to join the party is because that community is so solidly behind the tournament.






This year's tournament not only has its deepest field of teams playing, it has its deepest roster of sponsors as well. Rockford Public Schools would like to thank every organization that is involved with the tournament.

Returning as Gold Sponsor is Associated Bank, which has six locations in the Rockford area and is the No. 3 bank in Winnebago County in terms of deposits with nearly $600 million.


This year's Silver Sponsors are:
The Media Sponsor is WIFR-TV.

Additional sponsors:
There are several in-kind sponsors:


As well as several groups and individuals that have pitched in to fill gaps:
As you can see from this list, the 205 Tip-Off Classic is a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. See you next week.