Mason HS Indoor Classic (Mason, MI)
History was made at the old Mason (Mich.) HS gym as 30 ballers got together for the first-ever indoor Monkeyball tournament (not played in someone’s basement). Not only that, but 12 of the top 25 players in the world were there to vie for the championship – needless to say, the competition was fierce.
In the end, world #1 Andy Frushour topped #3, and reigning World Champion, Chuck Trinoskey in the championship match. Frushour rode a long afternoon streak of lucky breaks (says Brent Morrow) to get to the championship, and in this match, Chuck T couldn’t catch a break of his own. We all know the frustration of making a nice toss, only to see the balls go flying off – this happened to Chuck throughout the final match. Frushour won in straight sets, and also got his first-ever tournament win over Uncle Chuck.
In the semis, Chuck made quick work of Group A winner, #19 Jeremy Foco. Foco had had a great day up to this match (including a Sweet 16 win over wife Kristin) and I think he actually put a lot of points on the board, but Chuck dropped one of the day’s three 12-Monkeys and wasn’t about to be denied a spot in the final. #10 Casey Frushour had one of the other 12-Monkeys in the other semifinal. Older brother Andy had a 11-0 lead in game one before his younger brother pulled out the win. And in game three, Casey led 12-5 before succumbing to the eventual champ.
Even though we played without beer (which was weird), #16 Andi Osters still rocked a red party cup (filled with water) to mimic her normal playing style and to maintain her normal MB balance. Osters beat newcomer Brett Boden in the Sweet 16 before falling to nemesis Jeremy Foco in the quarters. Jim Wenzel won Group D, and ended Matt Haynick’s day with a 12-Monkeys in pool play. Wenzel beat Kari Dressler before ultimately losing to Chuck in the quarters. #21 and 4th place finisher at MB5 Keith Hagen took Casey to three games in the third quarterfinal, and that was after Casey knocked out Pool B winner #24 Joe Frushour in the Sweet 16. #6 Brent Morrow probably won’t let Andy Frushour forget all the garbage points Frush got in his quarterfinal win, but Brent probably also won’t forget knocking off #4 and three-time World Champ Dean Allen in the Sweet 16. Allen reached the knockout portion of the day on a roll, winning his five pool play matches by a combined score of 75-5. Frushour reached the quarters after beating #8 Dan Renner in three games.
Thank you to Greg Lattig and Mason HS for hosting this first-of-a-kind event. We hope you invite us back again next winter!
Champion: Andy Frushour
Runner-up: Chuck Trinoskey
# of Players: 30
nice win, commish! come down to bham in feb. for mbxman and see if you can win another!
Well done my brother… you’re lucky I choked in game three, but it sure felt good to throw a 12-Monkeys on ya! Looking forward to this event next year with at least 50 participants!
As this grows, you might need a bigger venue…I’m thinking Silverdome.
First rate event again fellas. I am here to announce the next big event. It should be around April 24th on the campus of Michigan State University. This is usually the weekend of the MSU spring football game so tailgating and more importantly drinking is allowed out on the fields. As the date becomes firm an update and more exact location will be announced. I want a rematch Casey.
KH: As we get closer to April, I’ll be sure to list your tournament under the Upcoming Events tab. I’ll give you your own page and make it legit. I’m already looking forward to it — we need some fresh Sparty meat to beat up on.