Controversial Call Sets Stage for June 7 Showdown in Tortola

The 2025 King of the Courts Caribbean Championships delivered high drama, a new champion, and a semi-final that sparked outrage, debate, and now—an explosive rematch.

On Saturday, June 7, Team Tola and the USVI Elites will meet again at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Tortola in what’s being billed as “The Replay Game.”

At stake: redemption, reputation, and a $7,500 cash prize.

The single-game showdown is expected to pack the venue, drawing fans from across the Virgin Islands and beyond. With music from DJs Topman Kee and Selecta Taz, and an afterparty dubbed “Ballers Paradise” presented by the SVA Junior Games, this night promises to be much more than just basketball. But beneath the entertainment lies an unresolved story that’s far from over.

The controversy stems from the March 2025 semi-final matchup between Team Tola and the USVI Elites—a game that should have been decided by one final shot.

With just three seconds left in regulation and Team USVI trailing, standout guard Zion Jones launched a long-range shot that officials scored as a 3-pointer. The call tied the game and sent it into overtime, where Tola narrowly pulled off an 87–84 win.

But soon after, video footage began circulating online that showed Jones had clearly released the ball from behind the designated 4-point line—a shot that would have sealed a 1-point victory for USVI if called correctly.

“There was a controversial call involving a shot initially ruled a 3-pointer on the court,” tournament organisers admitted in a statement. “After the game, video footage surfaced showing that the shot was, in fact, a 4-pointer.”

Tournament rules, however, do not allow for video reviews or post-game reversals of referee decisions. So, despite the evidence, the call stood.

USVI, feeling robbed, made a bold statement—they withdrew from the third-place game in protest, allowing St. Kitts to take their spot.

Tournament referees later issued personal apologies to the USVI team, and organisers pledged to review officiating protocols moving forward.

“Even in leagues like the NBA, where video review is available, controversial calls still occur,” the organisers noted. “But we will explore potential solutions to better address situations like this and ensure continued fairness and transparency in the competition.”

While the fallout from the semi-final made headlines, Virgin Gorda’s Bayside Blazers quietly captured the 2025 King of the Courts title with a dominant 87–67 win over Tola in the final.

Led by Tyohn D. Trimble’s 29 points and Final MVP Raheem E. Carter’s 23, the Blazers finished the tournament undefeated. Their championship win was historic, but many fans still felt the real championship-caliber matchup was never played.

Now, just three weeks after the finals, Team Tola and Team USVI will get their second chance—and this time, the stakes are even higher.

Team Tola, led by a blend of veteran playmakers and emerging stars, enters the rematch with something to prove—not just to USVI, but to themselves after falling short in the final.

USVI, meanwhile, returns with a chip on their shoulder and a point to make. Zion Jones, the player at the center of the semi-final drama, is expected to play with added fire.

On Friday, June 6, the two sides are set to relive the controversial shot when they appear on JTV Big Story with host Cathy Richards. Works are in train to have on set the coach of each team, one of their players, and King of the Courts organiser Steve Parillon for what promises to be a must-watch prelude to the main event.

The game tips off at 7:00 PM on Saturday, June 7, at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Tortola. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children 16 and under. Entertainment for the night includes live sets by DJs Topman Kee and Selecta Taz, with an official afterparty titled “Ballers Paradise” hosted by the SVA Junior Games.

The rematch has also reignited conversations across the Caribbean basketball community about the need for updated rules, including video replay systems for key moments in high-stakes games.

Organisers have since committed to reviewing officiating guidelines and considering improvements before the next season of King of the Courts.

But for now, the spotlight returns to the court, where no amount of footage or formal apologies can rewrite what happened—or determine what comes next.

As fans fill the stands, music fills the air, and tension crackles across the hardwood, one thing is certain: this is more than just a rematch.

It’s a reckoning.

And come June 7, only the final buzzer will have the answer.

The British Virgin Islands’ Under-19 national rugby team departed the territory today, May 30, bound for the Dominican Republic, where they will take part in the 2025 Caribbean Cup & Plate—an international rugby sevens and 10-a-side tournament scheduled from May 30 to June 2. Hosted in Santo Domingo, the event brings together top youth talent from the BVI, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic for a weekend of competitive play, skill-building, and cultural exchange.

National coach James Morris, who is leading the contingent, described the trip as a “critical step in growing the sport” and credited local support for making it possible. “This opportunity was made possible thanks to the passionate support of our community,” Morris said. “It’s the start of a bigger movement to elevate BVI rugby and nurture young talent from the grassroots to the international stage.”

The tournament itinerary begins with a light training and integration session Friday evening, including touch-and-pass drills with mixed teams to build camaraderie among players from the three nations. Saturday will see a full schedule of sevens group matches and finals, followed by 10-a-side fixtures in the afternoon. On Sunday, the focus shifts to coaching clinics, player development, and cultural sightseeing, capped off with a closing celebration hosted by the Dominican Republic’s rugby federation. The team returns home on Monday, June 2.

The BVI squad includes 20 young athletes who have trained extensively over recent months: Saad Kosmass, Ahmad Tarabein, Tyrique Isaacs McMillan, Thomas Blyden Aldridge, Alex Wells, Jaden Ethan Maduro, Kenley Ricquel Williams, Te Kory Maxima Penn, Cooper Brian Jackson, J’Sean K’Moy Barnes, Brian Augustas Roberts Primus, B’Jhoni Augustino Roberts, Robert Charles McKenzie, Genevan Mario Vanterpool, Wil Fujitaka Seddon, Logan River Augustine Titley, Blake Kirk, Brandonn Brad Fahie, Havonte Jadez Baptiste Riviera, and Ancel Barack Wells. Accompanying the players is a support staff of eight, including Morris, Javon Carty, Brendon Carey, Victor Amparo Peña, Calum McKenzie, Mark Jones, Ioan Jones and Gordon Jackson.

Fundraising efforts from the local community—including a wine-tasting event at Myett’s in Cane Garden Bay—helped finance the team’s travel and accommodations. The BVI Rugby Football Union expressed deep appreciation to all who contributed, noting that this tour marks the beginning of a broader strategy to develop rugby across the territory.

“These young men have shown remarkable dedication and heart,” Morris added. “Now they have the chance to take the field, gain valuable international experience, and come back stronger—not just as players, but as ambassadors for the sport in the Virgin Islands.”

The BVI team is expected to return home Monday afternoon following what promises to be a transformative weekend on and off the pitch.

Team USVI has withdrawn from the third-place match at the King of the Courts tournament following a disputed officiating decision in their semi-final against Team Tola, in which a final-seconds shot was ruled a 3-pointer instead of a 4-pointer.

The decision stems from a play with three seconds remaining in regulation. The shot was initially scored as three points by officials. However, after the match, video footage showed the shooter’s feet were behind the 4-point line.

“There was a controversial call involving a shot initially ruled a 3-pointer on the court,” tournament organisers stated. “After the game, video footage surfaced showing that the shot was, in fact, a 4-pointer.”

Despite the post-game evidence, the tournament’s existing rules do not permit video review or reversal of calls. “Unfortunately, King of the Courts does not utilise video review for officiating decisions, and the tournament director does not intervene in referee rulings made during the game,” the statement said.

“Under the current rules, the decision made on the court stands and cannot be changed post-game,” organisers confirmed.

Referees involved in the game have issued apologies to Team USVI. “Our referees have performed commendably throughout the tournament and have personally expressed their apologies to Team USVI for what transpired.”

In the same statement, King of the Courts referenced the challenges faced in basketball officiating. “Even in leagues like the NBA, where video review is available, controversial calls still occur.”

Organisers also stated they will review procedures going forward. “We will explore potential solutions to better address situations like this and ensure continued fairness and transparency in the competition.”

As a result of Team USVI’s withdrawal, St. Kitts — which finished third in its group — will play in the third-place match.