Brothers Boast Two Hoopfest Titles

On Monday morning, Dustin and Kyle Boast slept in. It was their reward for surviving Hoopfest.

Playing on separate teams, the brothers had each overcome the heat of the sun and the heat of the moment to win their respective bracket tournaments.

“Me and Kyle are both sunburned and decided to take the morning off,” said Dustin, by phone. “We’ll get going in an hour or so.”

The brothers - Dustin will be a junior at Central Valley High School in the fall and Kyle a sophomore - play together on American Legion baseball and summer league basketball teams.

Last weekend, however, they played on separate Hoopfest teams.

“We were going to play together, but had too many friends in our own grades and didn’t want to break it up,” said Dustin. “Also there wouldn’t have been enough basketballs on the court.”

Playing with Bobby Gosney, Jeff Crouch and David Burnett, Dustin’s team, the Hooters, won four straight games to win bracket 154.

Kyle was on the ACC Boys with Nik Armitage, Aaron Keck and Kasey Eslick. They were forced to a second championship game in bracket 144 after reaching the finals unbeaten in three.

The Boast brothers’ teams were among hundreds of bracket winners, two dozen or so of them from the Valley.

Both witnessed the best and worst of the weekend phenomenon that has grown to more than 4,500 teams and nearly 18,000 participants.

They enjoyed the competition and the festive atmosphere downtown. And, of course, winning was nice.

Kyle was playing in his fourth Hoopfest. The other times his team had finished second. This was Dustin’s second Hoopfest.

“I hadn’t played since eighth grade when we lost two games then won the consolation bracket,” said Dustin. “This was kind of funner than that.”

They didn’t like the sometimes hot-tempered play. Kyle said an opposing player was ejected from a physical semifinal game. “The whole bunch was talking trash and throwing elbows,” said Kyle. “I went in for a layin, someone tackled me and I twisted my ankle.”

Dustin’s team was also involved in a few disputes that result from the loosely officiated, honor system format.

“I’m more used to organized play that doesn’t let anything get out of control,” said Kyle.

“At Hoopfest it’s just street ball where anything really goes,” said Dustin.

That’s why their dad, Mike, didn’t attend. He opted instead for a golf tournament.

Summer has been busy for the Boast brothers, who have had a Legion game or basketball contest every night so far. Last week was CV’s basketball camp.

“We have the Fourth of July off, then Idaho team camp for five days,” said Dustin. “After that there are a couple of basketball tournaments and we might go to a baseball tournament.”

By comparison, said Dustin, playing in Hoopfest is easy.

They’ll play again next year, but are contemplating teaming up in a lower-keyed family division.

That is, if they can convince their dad to join them.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: VALLEY HOOOPS REGISTRATION Hoopfest has ended, but there’s still an opportunity to play 3 on 3 basketball. Registration is under way for the sixth annual Valley Hooops, the Spokane Valley YMCA’s equivalent to Hoopfest. The 3 on 3 basketball tournament will be July 26-27 at University City Shopping Center. Last year Valley Hooops became the sole province of the YMCA as a fund-raising event. To sign up, contact the Valley YMCA at 927-1474.