10/04/2016
The KOTC 2016 title goes to...
Viva Youth Festival, King of the Court Prahran 2016 came to an end yesterday with the Melbourne City Chillaz, taking out the 2016 title over the upcoming team, 1Hunna, pulling away with free-throws in the final moments with a 4-point victory (15-11).
Prahran's elite 3-on-3 streetball tournament featured 12 competitive teams, where the quarter finals featured 4 tough battles, all with equal claims to earn a spot in the grand final.
No Limits coach/player Peter Maunder, took out the 3 point contest with 16pts in the final, while Brodie Stephens Australia's upcoming dunker flew down again from Townsville to put on a display in the Dunk contest.
The battles and match-ups were as tough as ever before. Loose ball dives, hard earned buckets, with the expected blood, sweat and tears. After all was said and done, it was Melbourne's streetball legend leading his team to its 3rd title in King of the Court history, featuring long-time teammate Jason 'Smoke' Kotchoff and MSF's own player/coach Sokol Blazovski.
Runner-ups went to a young up and coming team that called themselves 1Hunna. Aged between 19-21, they knocked off some serious Prahran veterans and held their own in the grand final, with big shots, just falling short in the end against the more experienced Melbourne City Chillaz.
Another day at Prahran that will go down in Melbourne hoops history.
Big shout outs to City of Stonnington and Youth Services for making the event happen every year, KICKZ101 for their grassroots support and sponsored prizes, the event team for their hardwork and commitment to putting on the event, Eamon for MC'ing, Helping Hoops for their great work hosting the clinics and youth tournament, the locals, fans and friends that came out to support, and the players that came out to battle. While a lot of Melbourne's talent had commitments with their Big V and SEABL seasons just starting, most didn't want to risk any injury with the focus being on starting for the club fresh.
We have to give respect to the players that came down and put their body on the line, coming for the 1K cash prize. The ultimate respect goes to Nick Masunda, while playing for the Melbourne Tigers in SEABL, he made the sacrifice to come and compete at the historic King of the Court event. Winning isn't new for Nick, having collected 3 KOTC crowns (04, 12, 16), Red Bull Nationals (15) and Prahran Summer Jam (2016), he's proven he knows how to make his team better and ultimately knows what it takes to win. His teammate Jason Kotchoff, who has always been a solid player and even though playing 5 games to claim the title yesterday, he had his Big V game to head straight to at 8pm last night after coming to collect the KOTC cash. And on-the-day call-up Sokol Blazovski, former Melbourne Tigers Vic champ and Big V player, current MSF academy coach, Soks stepped up in the paint, created plays and knocked down some big shots at key moments.
12 teams, 50 players, made this event what it was. Thanks for being part of the day and we look forward to the next big MSF event coming soon!!
- MSF
www.msfsports.com.au
Event photos and video coming soon!