The VG Bayside Blazers were crowned champions of the 2025 King of the Courts (KOTC) Caribbean Championship after a commanding 87–67 victory over Tola on Sunday, May 18, at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex.
Backed by Biras Creek Resort and Marina and Ninth District Representative Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, the undefeated Blazers—under the guidance of manager Julian Willock—dominated early, building a 34-point lead en route to securing the Premier Cup and $15,000 cash prize.
Trimble, Carter Lead Championship Charge
Tyohn D. Trimble led all scorers with 29 points and earned the Most Assists award with 20 assists across the tournament. Raheem E. Carter’s 23-point performance earned him the Final MVP title. Ronald E. Delph added 14 points and was named Most Rebounds (27) and Most Blocks (10), while Austin O. Oltime also posted 14 points.
Tola, making a second consecutive finals appearance, struggled to keep pace despite solid efforts from Antwain Johnson (17 pts), Kalu Ezikpe (13 pts), and Wesley Alcegaire (12 pts).
Santo Takes Third Over St Kitts
In the third-place matchup, Santo defeated St Kitts 96–51. A. Santos delivered a tournament-high 39 points and took home awards for Most Points (81) and Most 3-Pointers (12). Teammates Alexander Garcia (19 pts) and Fernando Osoria (14 pts) also contributed, while Sanger Rodriguez earned the Most Steals title with six.
USVI Elites Protest Semifinal Call
The final experienced a delay after the USVI Elites protested their controversial semifinal loss to Tola. The protest centered around a last-second shot that was called a 3-pointer instead of a 4-pointer. Though video later showed the shot was a 4-pointer, King of the Courts does not allow video review and stood by the on-court decision.
USVI refused to play in the third-place game and briefly interrupted the final by sitting on the scorers’ table. The standoff was resolved after negotiations with tournament director Steve E. Parillon and a reported financial settlement.
KOTC Issues Official Statement
“We acknowledge the unfortunate situation regarding the semifinal ruling,” said KOTC in a statement. “While video later confirmed the shot should have counted for four points, our rules do not currently permit post-game reviews. We extend our sincere apologies to Team USVI and commit to exploring systems to ensure more transparent officiating moving forward.”
A Showcase of Caribbean Basketball
This year’s tournament featured teams from nine nations and continues to grow as a premier basketball showcase in the region. Despite the drama, the event highlighted the Caribbean’s talent, sportsmanship, and rising influence in international hoops.