At a meeting a week ago, several of the heralded tournament’s founding fathers voted unanimously to approve the switch from the traditional 2 on 2 to a new and improved 3 on 3. In years past, the selection committee would rank the players and then pair the teams together. This year, however, it ranked the top 8 who then drafted their other two players. These changes resulted in creating some of the most competitive and well balanced basketball that this tournament has ever seen. “Traditions are nice and it is comfortable to keep them but it was undeniable that the old two on two format was like that dirty pair of boxers at the end of the laundry cycle---familiar but in dire need of a change,” said an undisclosed source

Yoni’s new team had a smooth ride to the final four after beating Jon’s team and Harry’s team in the preliminary round. They then swept Team Coleman (with Ari Jacobson) in two very close and intense games. Team Rosenblatt then breezed through Jon’s team in a 3-0 sweep at Marder Court. In their championship run, Yoni, Idon, and Scott became the first team to run through the tournament with out losing a game.

Meanwhile, Jon’s team seemingly faced elimination all day. After losing its tournament opener to Yoni, the boys regained composure as they beat both the Chanan/Hervitz/Rose team as well as the Auster Squad (with defending champ Aronhime). In the semifinals Jon’s troops were in a similar predicament after losing game one to the then undefeated team of Eli Pristoop, Marty Hendershot, and Simon Blechman. Jon’s team, however, came through again and pulled out two straight hard fought wins to reach the finals. “We battled hard all day long and continued to come through with our backs against the wall. I am proud of the boys they really fought hard,” said a tired Jon Minkove. “It was good to be back in the finals(after an 8 year absence) and we will be there again next year to take grab the golden helmet. But right now I think I just need to lie on my couch for a few weeks with some Advil and Coor’s Light.” A disappointed Marty Hendershot was inconsolable after to the loss to Jon’s team. He explained “it was all on me… Seriously I just played terribly and I won’t sleep for a year because of it.”

The magic began to wear off for Jon’s team immediately after their uplifting semifinals victory. Swingman Gadi Lefkowitz, who had become increasingly dehydrated, began to cramp in every muscle in his legs. Gadi told reporters that “I haven’t felt that much pain since my circumcision.” For nearly an hour a team of “doctors” led by Yoni Rosenblatt P.T. massaged, caressed, and watered, the pale sick child. Despite Gadi’s valiant and heroic efforts he was essentially a “dead man walking” and Jon was unable to get much of anything going offensively. Neuman’s hot hand aside, Team Rosenblatt coasted to victory with well balanced scoring and strong defense. Scott stroked numerous key shots from the outside, while Rosenblatt and Idon did damage inside with Rosenblatt also stepping out occasionally for his traditional Bank of America display. Scott described that his team “played liked warriors, not like Beth Tfiloh Warriors (the high school of most of the competitors) but like actual Native American warriors. We just were awesome.” Idon added “This was a great day and I have already received 50 phone calls from relatives and friends in Israel including a memorable congratulatory call from Ariel “Big Daddy” Sharon (who found out about the tourney from a bitter Tamir Goodman who had never been invited to play).”

Those who witnessed TDC XI were blessed to see some very solid, gritty basketball filled with heart and passion. Players continue to marvel at the intensity and perhaps sickness of this creation. In his post game press conference Yoni reflected, “I return to this tourney year in and year out not for the thrill of victory and the shear terror or defeat, but rather for those moments when I can take a step back and say aloud, ‘wow, we are really sick, insanely creative and perhaps innovative, but ridiculously and hilariously sick.'"

We all hope to build off this uplifting August Sunday and carry this momentum into the next stage of Tour de Court; one that will feature growing love handles, losing hair, and trying to breed sons who can beat that Yoni Rosenblatt character.