An impressive title win by Toko in the women’s division and a first championship for University of B.C. in the men’s division capped off a successful 32nd installment of the Dolphin Park Classic 4-on-4 street basketball tournament last weekend at South Arm Park.
Tournament co-founder and organizer Bruce Watson said a “nice mix and stew of teams” made for highly competitive b-ball.
On the men’s side, the UBC team won its first title in 14 tries at the tournament. The team was bolstered by Grant Shephard, hot off a historic U19 basketball world championship for Team Canada earlier this month. Still, it was Taylor Browne who took home MVP honours.
“It was hard to pick an MVP from that team, they were so deep,” said Watson.
UBC beat perennial contenders AthElite by a score of 57-51 on the South Arm hardcourt.
Watson noted the finals consisted of the second and third seeds from each men’s pool, meaning there was a lot of parity in the tournament.
“What that indicates is how deep the tourney was. XFalcons are a fabulous team, and went undefeated in round robin play; and they looked like they would win, but UBC beat them in the semis,” said Watson.
Meanwhile, the women also “beat themselves up in the round robin.”
But Toko beat University of the Fraser Valley handily as Harleen Sidhu took home MVP honours for Toko.
Sidhu also upstaged her AthElite boss Aman Heran in the three-point contest to become the first women in Classic history to win the special, fan-favourite contest.
“She’s an amazing shooter. Everyone loved it,” said Watson.
Emerson Murray won the dunk contest.
“He excited the crowd, thrilled the crowd. He’s a leaper,” said Watson.
