Tournaments

Skills Competition

Published by Aaron Vaccariello on June 6, 2009

Our crew is here, and things are taking shape for the two ball and three ball competitions, and what should be a slick finale in the dunk contest. Wayne Dawkins, the convener of PHASE 1 Basketball, huddles up with nearly one hundred star-studded players participating tonight to give them that motivational speech that’s sure to spark a little bit of competition.

Mark Strong from The Score TV network is the official MC. Dude is short. Well, shorter than the camera makes him look. Hasn’t mentioned Crown’s name yet–but I’m sure he will. Right?

7:34pm – Two ball begins. Co-ed style. Women first, men second.

7:40pm – “Let’s enter our names. These people can’t shoot,” says a bashful Jovan. First couple pairs weren’t impressive, but you gotta appreciate the effort.150 is the score to beat.

7:44pm – I’ve never seen alley oop attempts in a two ball contest. But that’s how Canada does it. Nice to see though. Maybe they’re warmin’ everyone up for the dunk contest later on. Someone named D-rock just hit a trey. No joke (I later discover her true name is Dranadia Roc and she’s a hell of a player!).

7:49pm – 205 is now the score to beat. I’m seein’ a pattern here. These match-ups are getting good. I only realized now that all the men in the tournament are wearing Jordan 7’s (or what seems to be Jordan 7’s)… no love for the media? No Crown special editions? My old zoom’s need an update, and sandals just don’t work sometimes.

7:51pm – Last match. They need three centre court shots to take the lead. Unlikely? Yes. Entertainment? For sure. But they choose to be conservatively fresh. Awesome effort! They got into a streak, and so has Mark Strong–in adding to my headache.

8:01pm – Two ball winners: Kim Gibbs and Jameno Sobers

Lufile turns shoot-around into a dunk off Photo by : Aaron Vaccariello

8:03pm – Here comes the three ball comp. The format is something I’m not familiar with, but it works. One shooter, two rebounders.

8:16pm – Abi Tairu went on a nice streak from a nice looking spot. 10 is the score to beat.

8:20pm – We just heard news that Jovan was just appointed to an integral part of the dunk contest. He is not only known as Jovan Brkic “The Voice,” but more suddenly “Judge Jovan.”

8:39pm – Gemma Bullard is the winner of the three point shootout for the girls. Making it look easy. She’s got fantastic form.

8:49pm – Men’s three point shootout up next with Adrian Tomlinson vs. Maurice Walker. There is allegedly a $20 bet between the two. Allegedly. “Who’s gettin the $20? It’s goin’ straight to the scorers table,” says Mark Strong. Mo Walker wins.

8:54pm – Brady Heslip vs. Taylor Johnston. Brady sets the bar at 14. Or 12, not sure. Doesn’t matter too much cuz’ he killed it.

8:59pm – 18 for Silver Laku. 16 for Chris Blackwood. Never heard of Silver, but I’m convinced.

9:02pm – Alwayne vs. Cory… Cory Joseph being Cory Joseph. Drops 16. Flawless shooting technique in person. Must be the shoes. Last round comin’ up.

9:05pm – Brady Heslip vs. Chris Blackwood. 19 for Brady, 14 for Chris. Damn. Next up– Silver versus Cory. “When he’s in motion, he’ll get it,” says Jovan talking about Cory’s form. Misses the next couple set shots. Next three shots he shoots in motion with swish factor. Brkic knows his stuff. After all, he is “The Voice.” Blackwood wins.

Silver Laku is the winner of the Men’s three point contest. He beats out Chris Blackwood in a tight display of polished shooting. Now he goes up against Gemma, winner of the Women’s three point comp. Silver wins. Here comes the dunk off. It’s gonna get crazy.
Judges: Mike Kennedy, Jenn Cunningham, Our own Jovan Brkic, Toronto Raptors analyst Sherman Hamilton featuring Raptors power forward Pops-Mensah Bonsu.

As Jovan sits beside Raps affiliate Sherman Hamilton and Toronto Raptor Pops, I shout out, “the vooiicce” to put the pressure on. He pays no attention. Get off your high horse Brkic.

Contestants:

Emerson Murray
Huge one bounce reverse. good in my books.
Brkic’s vote: 8

Chadrack Lufile

One foot windmill. Gotta bring more than that.

Very powerful though.

Brkic: 8

Dwayne Smith
Windmill, big leap, hand in rim.
Brkic: 9

Sefton Barrett
Brkic: 8, against 9’s. Bold.

Kevin Messiah
Brkic: 8

Emerson tries a one bounce through the legs. He didn’t make it, but the shock factor was there. Biggest attempt yet. Would have loved to see him throw it down. Kevin’s attempt is a 360 cuffed dunk. Great effort. Would have won if he made it, in my opinion.

Emmerson Murray grabs bragging rights as the 09′ ACC slam dunk champ. Family cheers, players scatter.

What Friday had to hold for PHASE 1’s ACC was a sneak preview for tomorrow’s all day event. Keep checking in to Crown Online for your latest coverage of the All Canadian Classic presented by PHASE 1.

By Aaron Vaccariello

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