Coney Island, NY, WPH Press, 10/25/24
Tournament directors and sponsors Jared Vale and the ValeU Group and Elliot Joseph proudly hosted to the 12th annual Coney Island Player’s Championship on the famed Coney Island handball courts on a beautiful third Saturday in October, featuring twenty-two players in the Open Singles and ten combined doubles teams in the 50+ and 60+ doubles brackets.
The Coney Island Player’s Championship, honoring the beloved Papa Schneider, started out as the Mal Cohen Memorial (2013–2017), and is also combined with Albert Apuzzi’s King of the Rings. The Coney Island Player’s Championship started honoring recently fallen handball heroes in 2021, with this year’s event honoring Aaliyah Durant, Tony “Touch” Rojas, and Tony Quintero.
Open Singles
The twenty-two player Open Singles bracket featured several surprises, as Mike Schneider, Jr. returned to the courts to honor his father and stormed into the semifinals with impressive wins against Isaiah Hong and Carlin Rosa. Chris Briones announced himself as a breakout star, defeating Saul Gonzalez and Alvaro Rebaza on his march to the semifinals.
The Bastidas brothers ended the Cinderella runs of Schneider and Briones, advancing to the finals to face one another.
The Bastidas brothers showcased their tremendous skills in their late-afternoon, one-game final. “Jurell broke out to a quick lead,” stated ValeU Group’s Vale. “At one point, Jurell was up 12-7. However, his stamina gave way and Tyree’s power and precision once again earned him the championship, his seventh Coney Island Player’s Championship title.”
Semifinals
Tyree def Briones 21-10
Jurell def Schneider 21-12
Final: Tyree def Jurell 21-15
Watch the 2024 Players Championship final HERE
Thank you
Thank you to the original and current tournament sponsor Elliot Joseph. Thank you to tournament director and annual tournament sponsor “Mr. 1-Wall” Jared Vale and the ValeU Group. Thank you to annual tournament contributors Adam Gittlitz and Phyllis Gaskowtiz.
All information and pictures courtesy of Jared Vale.
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer