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Whitney Young Girls Hoops Home-Court Winning Streak: 124 Games and Counting

By Justin Breen | December 2, 2014 5:38am
 The Whitney Young girls basketball team holds the IHSA Class 4A state championship trophy from the 2013-14 season. The Dolphins haven't lost a home game since Jan. 18, 2004, a streak of 124 consecutive wins.
The Whitney Young girls basketball team holds the IHSA Class 4A state championship trophy from the 2013-14 season. The Dolphins haven't lost a home game since Jan. 18, 2004, a streak of 124 consecutive wins.
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CHICAGO — The first priority entering every season for Whitney Young's girls basketball team has been to win its home games.

And that's exactly what the defending IHSA Class 4A state champions have done since Jan. 18, 2004, as the girls hoops power has compiled a state-record 124 straight wins on its home court.

"It's a pride thing. It's one of those things we talk about every year," said head coach Corry Irvin, whose club opens its season in the Mac Irvin Diabetes Classic Saturday against defending Class 3A champion Montini at Larkin High School in Elgin.

Justin Breen says Whitney Young makes a point to defend its home court:

"Each team doesn't want to be the one that takes the first loss at home and have everyone talking about them," added Irvin, whose Dolphins play their first home game Dec. 12 against Harvest Christian Academy.

 Whitney Young's girls basketball team, led by coach Corry Irvin (c.), hasn't lost a home game since Jan. 18, 2004. The Dolphins have won a state-record 124 games in a row on their home court.
Whitney Young's girls basketball team, led by coach Corry Irvin (c.), hasn't lost a home game since Jan. 18, 2004. The Dolphins have won a state-record 124 games in a row on their home court.
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Greg McKee

"There's a sign outside our gym, and it says if you can win here, you can win anywhere — and that's what I try to tell the girls. To me, if we can win at home, we can win all over the country and win in those locations."

Whitney Young's home gym doesn't have a name, but it's been a nightmare for the opposition for more than 10 years. The Dolphins' streak is far and away the state record, with Jersey High School's 77-game streak from 1990-97 second on the list. Chicago Washington and Marshall are third and fourth, respectively, with 67- and 63-game home winning streaks.

(The boys record for consecutive home wins is held by Benet Academy in Lisle, which won 102 straight games between Nov. 26, 1975 and Jan. 24, 1987, according to the IHSA.)

The Dolphins, who finished 30-3 last season, begin the campaign ranked sixth nationally and No. 1 in the state.

Saturday's tournament is dedicated to Chicago basketball legend, the late Mac Irvin, who was Corry Irvin's father-in-law. Corry Irvin said the tournament raised $3,500 for the American Diabetes Association last year.

The Mac Irvin Diabetes Classic takes place Saturday at Larkin High School, 1475 Larkin Ave. Elgin. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students. Games are: Harlan boys vs. Jacobs, 1:30 p.m.; Montini girls vs. Whitney Young, 3:15 p.m.; St. Viator boys vs. Proviso East, 5 p.m.; and Morgan Park boys vs. Larkin, 6:45 p.m.

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