Pike hands East first home loss since 2017-2018 season

ROCKFORD - Indianapolis Pike never trailed and was tied only once in running its Tip-off Classic record to 2-0 Tuesday night with a 77-59 victory over homestanding East.

It was East’s first Home court loss since the 2017-18 season.

The Red Devils jumped to a 25-11 lead after one quarter, although East narrowed the gap to 27-26 late in the second quarter. Pike led 36-29 at halftime and put the game away with a 14-0 run midway through the third period.

Davion Bailey, a 6-foot-4 senior, led Pike with 23 points. Markarious Luster, a 6-2 junior starting his third varsity season, led East with 19 points. The E-Rabs are off until Friday night when they host Chicago Bogan. Pike wraps up its tournament play tomorrow against Providence St. Mel at 10:30 a.m. at Jefferson.

Indianapolis Pike 77, Rockford East 59
	1	2	3	4	Final
Pike	25	11	22	19	77
East	11	18	12	18	59
PIKE
Player	2 Pt.	3 Pt.	FT-FTA	F	Points
Johnson	0	0	0-0	1	0
Bailey	3	5	2-2	0	23
Love	2	0	0-0	3	4
Conwell	0	0	0-0	2	0
Louden	3	0	0-2	0	6
Jones	6	0	0-3	0	12
Pearson	2	1	0-0	1	7
Dobbins	7	0	3-4	3	17
Gordon	2	0	0-0	0	4
Montgomery	0	0	4-4	1	4
Totals	25	6	9-15	11	77
EAST
Player	2 Pt.	3 Pt.	FT-FTA	F	Points
Jo. Crawford	2	2	1-1	1	11
Brannon-Davis	3	1	0-0	1	9
Lambert	0	0	1-2	0	1
Dixon	1	1	1-1	0	6
Harris	2	0	4-4	0	8
Pearson	0	0	0-0	2	0
Luster	8	1	0-0	4	19
Johnson	0	0	1-2	1	1
Haugabook	1	0	2-2	3	4
Totals	17	5	10-12	12	59

Balanced Guilford pulls away from Perspectives

ROCKFORD - Five Vikings scored between 10 and 12 points as Guilford pulled away from Chicago Perspectives for a 63-54 win Tuesday night.

The Vikings were playing without senior Jack Holmstrom, last year's leading scorer, who is out with an injury. Without Holmstrom, Guilford started slow, trailing the Chicago charter school 19-13 after one quarter. The Vikings cut the deficit to three at halftime and pulled out front by outscoring the Wolves 15-9 in the third quarter. Joey Saunders scored six of his 12 points in the fourth to help Guilford pull away.

Joining Saunders in double figures was Tyson Morris (12), Nick Stadelman (11), Tyler Knuth (11) Thomas Stephenson (10). Perspectives had just one player top 10 points. Senior guard Caleb Miller led all scorers with 17 points.

The Vikings are off until Friday when they have the unenviable task of playing Providence St. Mel and Chicago Bogan. Perspectives plays Elgin Larkin noon Wednesday at Auburn.

Rockford Guilford 63, Chicago Perspectives 54
	1	2	3	4	Final
Perspectives	19	7	9	19	54
Guilford	13	10	15	25	63
PERSPECTIVES
Player	2 Pt.	3 Pt.	FT-FTA	F	Points
Graham	1	2	0-0	0	8
Scuefield	2	0	2-2	3	6
Miller	4	2	3-4	2	17
Moore	0	1	0-0	2	3
Ju. Gayles	3	0	0-0	5	6
Ray Walson	1	1	0-0	2	5
Ram. Walson	2	0	2-2	1	6
Woods	0	0	1-2	3	1
Ja. Gayles	1	0	0-0	0	2
Totals	14	6	8-10	18	54
GUILFORD
Player	2 Pt.	3 Pt.	FT-FTA	F	Points
Stephenson	4	0	2-2	1	10
Saunders	3	1	3-5	1	12
Bevan	1	0	0-0	1	2
Robinson	0	1	2-2	2	5
N. Stadelman	0	2	5-6	1	11
Morris	2	2	2-2	2	12
T. Knuth	4	1	0-1	2	11
Totals	14	7	14-18	10	63

Jefferson wins overtime thriller against Larkin

ROCKFORD - Jefferson’s J-Hawks opened their season with an 80-76 overtime victory over Elgin Larkin in the only Tip-off Classic game at Jefferson Monday night.

Jefferson led 56-42 early in the fourth quarter before Larkin rallied, behind Trace Boley and Damarion Wheeler-Thomas. Boley scored eight points and Wheeler-Thomas hit six consecutive free throws as Larkin outscored Jefferson 24-15 in the quarter. Jason Johnson-Neal tied the game with two seconds remaining.

Controversy surrounded the final seconds. It appeared time had run out after the tying basket, but Jefferson had called a timeout and officials put 2.1 seconds on the clock. When play resumed, Jefferson’s Brenden Moss sank a 40-foot buzzer beater but was called for traveling. The J-Hawks ‘ George Williams was whistled for a technical foul but officials ruled that came after the buzzer and Larkin was awarded two free throws and the ball to start the overtime.

Larkin took a 70-66 lead in overtime, but three-point baskets by Jaquavion Robinson and Latrell Graham and a two-pointer by Dez’zion Jordan put Jefferson ahead to stay. Jefferson, which had foul trouble and shot poorly from the free throw line in regulation, hit four of six free throws in overtime to keep the game out of reach.

Antonio Leavy, Jefferson’s 6-foot-6 reserve, led the J-Hawks with 23 points. Boley had 20 points and Wheeler-Thomas 18 for Larkin, which had four players in double figures.

Jefferson was whistled for 26 fouls, Larkin for 16. Seven offensive fouls were called on Jefferson, none on Larkin.

Rockford Jefferson 80, Elgin Larkin 76 (OT)
	1	2	3	4	OT	Final
Elgin Larkin	21	9	12	24	10	76
Jefferson	19	14	18	15	14	80
LARKIN
Player	2 Pt.	3 Pt.	FT-FTA	F	Points
Perez	1	1	2-6	1	7
Sarovic	2	0	0-0	1	4
Stubbs	4	1	0-2	1	11
Wheeler-Thomas	0	3	9-9	5	18
Boley	5	3	1-2	0	20
Ivy	0	0	0-0	1	0
Johnson-Neals	3	0	7-9	4	13
Maxie	1	0	1-2	3	3
Totals	16	8	20-30	16	76
JEFFERSON
Player	2 Pt.	3 Pt.	FT-FTA	F	Points
Stephenson	2	0	0-1	3	4
Graham	1	1	3-6	4	8
G. Williams	1	2	0-0	3	8
Jordan	2	0	1-2	1	5
Moss	1	3	2-2	4	13
Harden	1	0	0-1	0	2
Morris	3	0	0-0	1	6
J. Robinson	3	1	0-3	2	9
Bankole	1	0	0-0	3	2
Leavy	11	0	1-2	5	23
Totals	26	7	7-17	26	80

Knights struggle mightily againt Pike defense

ROCKFORD - The Auburn Knights had difficulty getting quality looks against Indianapolis Pike, dropping a 62-30 game to the Red Devils on opening night of the 205 Tip-Off Classic.

Pike, a perennial Indiana power that is now 8-2 in five trips to the Tip-Off Classic, raced out to a 25-8 lead in the second quarter.

Auburn was able to cut the lead to 32-22 in the third quarter, but Pike scored 30 of the final 38 points.

The Knights are without their leading scorer from last year, junior Josh Ausler, who is not eligible for the tournament. Without Ausler, the only Knight to generate any kind of offense Monday was Haniefe Johnson. The senior point guard scored 16 of Auburn's 30 points. Only four Knights scored in the entire game. Ten of the eleven Pike players got into the scoring column. Senior Davion Bailey led the way with 18 and sophomore Ryan Conwell added 16.

The Knights are off until 1:30 p.m. Wednesday when they host the North Chicago Warhawks.

Pike plays East High School Tuesday night at 6 p.m. The E-Rabs won last year's Tip-Off Classic, but East has to replace its top three scorers.

Indianapolis Pike 62, Rockford Auburn 30
	1	2	3	4	Final
Pike	13	16	18	15	62
Auburn	6	12	4	8	30
PIKE
Player	2 Pt.	3 Pt.	FT-FTA	F	Points
B. Johnson	1	0	0-0	2	2
D. Bailey	3	4	0-0	2	18
J. Love	3	0	0-0	0	7
R. Conwell	1	3	5-5	3	16
J. Louden	2	0	1-4	1	5
E. Jones	0	0	5-6	1	5
J. Dobbins	1	0	0-2	0	2
N. Gordon	2	0	0-1	5	4
K. Montgomery	1	0	1-3	0	3
Totals	13	8	12-21	14	62
AUBURN
Player	2 Pt.	3 Pt.	FT-FTA	F	Points
Hunter	0	0	0-0	2	0
Johnson	1	2	8-11	1	16
Lockhart-Walker	0	0	0-0	3	0
J. Martin	0	0	0-0	1	0
Mackey	1	0	2-2	1	4
Davis	3	0	2-2	4	8
Maxey	1	0	0-4	1	2
Harris-Graves	0	0	0-0	2	0
Smith	0	0	0-0	2	0
Wainwright	0	0	0-0	2	0
Totals	6	2	12-19	19	30

Mustangs pull away for win in Tip-Off Classic opener

ROCKFORD - The McArthur Mustangs dominated early and late to open the 205 Tip-Off Classic with a 73-59 win over North Chicago.

The school from Hollywood, Florida, scored the game's first 14 points. The Warhawks, though, fought back to briefly take the lead in the second quarter and trailed by just two at halftime.

The Mustangs held on to the lead in the third and then outscored North Chicago by 10 in the fourth quarter for a comfortable win to open its fourth straight trip to the Tip-Off Classic.

Damien Alford, a 6-7 senior, led McArthur with 15 points. Trevor Ward added 15 and Tyshaun Daniels chipped in 13.

Hollywood McArthur 73, North Chicago 59
	1	2	3	4	Final
McArthur	21	16	19	17	73
N. Chicago	9	26	17	7	59
MCARTHUR
Player	2 Pt.	3 Pt.	FT-FTA	F	Points
J. Howard	3	0	4-4	3	10
T. Ward	2	3	2-6	0	15
T. Daniels	3	2	1-4	3	13
I. Gissendanner	1	0	0-0	1	2
M. Greenwich	1	0	1-2	0	3
A. Garcia	1	1	0-2	4	5
D. Alford	9	0	0-1	3	18
J. Jackson	0	0	0-0	3	0
D. Shaw	1	1	2-3	0	7
Totals	21	7	10-22	17	73
NORTH CHICAGO
Player	2 Pt.	3 Pt.	FT-FTA	F	Points
S. Rodriguez	0	1	0-0	4	3
J. Mays	5	0	7-9	3	17
J. Johnson	0	0	2-4	2	2
T. Davis	2	3	0-1	2	13
A. Illidge	0	0	1-2	1	1
R. Irby	6	0	3-5	5	15
D. Hudson	2	0	0-0	4	4
R. McDuffy	1	0	0-0	3	2
D. Shellie	1	0	0-1	1	2
Totals	17	4	13-22	25	59

WIFR Livestream schedule

ROCKFORD, Ill. As a proud sponsor of the RPS 205 Tip-Off CLassic, 23 WIFR will live stream three games featuring some of the tournament’s best teams. WIFR news anchor Andy Gannon will be there with the play-by-play action.

Here are the games you can watch at www.wifr.com/sports/statelineslam.

Tuesday, November 26 at Rockford East High School,
6:00 p.m. - Rockford East vs. Indianapolis Pike

Saturday, November 30 at Auburn High School 
2:30 p.m. – Rockford Guilford vs. North Chicago
4:00 p.m. – Rockford Auburn vs. Chicago Bogan

RPS 205 announces 6th annual Tip-Off Classic

The sixth annual RPS 205 Tip-Off Classic is set for the last week of November. The national boys basketball tournament has grown each year and features 12 teams from three states playing in a total of 25 games.

East High School won the 2018 Tip-Off Classic .

All four RPS 205 high schools - Auburn, East, Guilford and Jefferson - will be represented, along with tournament veterans Chicago Perspectives, Elgin Larkin, Hollywood McArthur, Indianapolis Pike and North Chicago. New this are teams from Chicago Bogan, Providence St. Mel and Harlem High School.

"We are excited to bring back this competitive, opening-week experience for players, coaches and fans," said Mat Parker, director of athletics, activities and program development. "We are especially excited about the level of competition. Most of the teams had winning records last season, and three teams made an appearance at the state finals."

2019 Tip-Off Classic Schedule
Monday, November 25 at Auburn
6 p.m.	Hollywood (Fla.) McArthur vs. North Chicago
7:30 p.m.	Rockford Auburn vs. Indianapolis Pike
Monday, November 25 at Jefferson
7 p.m.	Elgin Larkin vs. Rockford Jefferson
Tuesday, November 26 at East
6 p.m.	Rockford East vs. Indianapolis Pike
7:30 p.m.	Hollywood (Fla.) McArthur vs. Chicago Bogan
Tuesday, November 26 at Guilford
7:30 p.m.	Rockford Guilford vs. Chicago Perspectives
Wednesday, November 27 at Jefferson
9 a.m.	Machesney Park Harlem vs. Hollywood (Fla.) McArthur
10:30 a.m.	Indianapolis Pike vs. Providence St. Mel
12 p.m.	Rockford Jefferson vs. Hollywood McArthur
Wednesday, November 27 at Auburn
12 p.m.	Chicago Perspectives vs. Elgin Larkin
1:30 p.m.	Rockford Auburn vs. North Chicago
Friday, November 29 at Guilford
10 a.m.	Rockford Guilford vs. Providence St. Mel
11:30 a.m.	Machesney Park Harlem vs. North Chicago
1 p.m.	Rockford Guilford vs. Chicago Bogan
Friday, November 29 at Jefferson
2:30 p.m.	Rockford Jefferson vs. Providence St. Mel
4 p.m.	Elgin Larkin vs. Machesney Park Harlem
5:30 p.m.	Rockford Jefferson vs. Chicago Perspectives
Friday, November 29 at East
7 p.m.	Rockford East vs. Chicago Bogan
Saturday, November 30 at East
10 a.m.	Rockford East at North Chicago
11:30 a.m.	Chicago Bogan vs. Elgin Larkin
1 p.m.	Rockford East vs. Providence St. Mel
Saturday, November 30 at Auburn
2:30 p.m.	Rockford Guilford vs. North Chicago
4 p.m.	Rockford Auburn vs. Chicago Bogan
5:30 p.m.	Machesney Park Harlem vs. Chicago Perspectives
7 p.m.	Rockford Auburn vs. Elgin Larkin