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.

Hon. Lorna Smith, OBE, Minister for Financial Services, Labour, and Trade of the Virgin Islands, is leading a three-member delegation to the Cayman Islands as part of a fact-finding mission aimed at strengthening the Virgin Islands’ approach to business development and economic diversification.

The mission focuses on studying the Cayman Islands’ efforts to build a modern, business-enabling ecosystem, with particular attention to initiatives such as Cayman Enterprise City (CEC), Health City, Cayman Tech, and related institutions.

“The team is focused on identifying best practices and transferable lessons that can support the Virgin Islands’ own efforts to enhance its ease of doing business and foster economic diversification,” Smith said. “This experience will no doubt be of benefit to all participants including the delegation from the Virgin Islands, as we together seek similar goals — to find innovative ways to do business, and grow and strengthen our economy.”

During the visit, the delegation is scheduled to meet with several high-level Cayman officials, including Premier and Minister of Financial Services and Commerce, Honourable Andre Ebanks, and Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism and Trade Development, Honourable Gary Rutty.

Other planned engagements include discussions with senior representatives from the Special Economic Zone Authority, the Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Commerce and Investment, and personnel from Customs, Immigration, and Labour.

Delegation members accompanying Minister Smith include Ms. Ayiesha De Coteau Sammy, Director of Investment Promotion; Dr. Lincoln Bobb, Deputy Director of Trade; and Dr. Dawn Alexander-Joseph, Policy Analyst II.

The Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation said the mission is expected to help guide future policy planning and provide insights into building a competitive and resilient economy.

The Ministry is tasked with regulating financial institutions and services, promoting financial stability, and supporting economic growth across the Territory. It also oversees initiatives aimed at boosting investor confidence, consumer protection, and financial inclusion.

Against the backdrop of growing global uncertainty and shifting geopolitical alliances, the United Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to its Overseas Territories this week during the observance of the Second Annual Overseas Territory Day. The event, championed by UK and Territory leaders alike, underscored the critical role these regions play in defense, environmental security, and Britain’s wider international footprint.

Speaking in his capacity as President of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA), Premier of the Virgin Islands Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley described the occasion as an opportunity to reflect not only on the Territories’ vital roles in areas like security and environmental stewardship, but also on the “mutual respect and collaborative growth” that continues to define their relationship with the UK.

“Overseas Territories are not only vibrant communities rich in culture and heritage,” Premier Wheatley said in a statement Tuesday. “They are vital partners in the UK family… their contribution to the UK’s global presence and values cannot be overstated.”

Observed annually on the first Monday of June, Overseas Territory Day was marked in London with a series of ceremonial events, including a flag-raising at Parliament Square, a choral evensong at the Guild Church of St Lawrence Jewry, and a formal reception at Speaker’s House hosted by House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle. The Virgin Islands was represented by UKOTA Chair and BVI Representative Tracy Bradshaw.

This year’s theme — “The Strategic Importance of the Overseas Territories and the Enduring Significance of our Constitutional Relationships with the United Kingdom” — reflected a growing focus on the Territories’ role in Britain’s global influence, particularly amid shifting geopolitical dynamics and climate-related vulnerabilities.

From the Caribbean to the South Atlantic, the Premier noted, Overseas Territories continue to punch above their weight. Citing efforts in renewable energy, biodiversity protection, and disaster preparedness, Dr. Wheatley praised the Territories for “thinking globally while acting locally.”

“These qualities not only define the character of our communities,” he said, “but also underpin their strategic relevance and global reach.”

Tuesday’s remarks also touched on the importance of responsible self-governance and ensuring that the voices of Overseas Territories remain central to policymaking at the UK level.

“We remain focused on ensuring their voices are not only heard but are instrumental in shaping policy and partnership,” Wheatley said.

The Premier closed with a call to unity and long-term vision, urging stakeholders to maintain momentum in advancing sustainable development, deepening constitutional ties, and building a legacy defined by “strategic cooperation, constitutional respect, and mutual progress.”

As Britain redefines its global relationships post-Brexit, events like Overseas Territory Day provide a moment to assess how longstanding ties — rooted in history but looking toward the future — continue to evolve.