One of the country’s most renowned high school basketball tournaments returns to Washington next week, celebrating its 20th anniversary.
The Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions runs November 25-29 at Washington Community High School, showcasing some of the best prep basketball talent in the nation.
Washington Panthers head coach Eric Schermerhorn told WMBD’s Greg and Dan Show why this year’s field is particularly elite.
“We have elite point guards, three or four of the top point guards in the entire nation,” Schermerhorn said. “We have three seven-footers, multiple six-elevens, six-tens, and many of these guys are guards.”
Over the tournament’s 20-year history, 70 future NBA players have competed on Washington’s court, including some of basketball’s biggest stars.
“Anthony Davis, LA Lakers, future Hall of Famer, lost by almost 40 in the TOC,” Schermerhorn said. “Zion Williamson scored 50 points, pulled down 25 rebounds in his first game in the TOC, and did not win a championship.”
The tournament has become a must-see event for college coaches and scouts. Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and Bradley head coach Brian Wardle are regular attendees, with players from the tournament advancing to schools like Illinois, Houston, and Xavier.
The tournament has unique roots, with ties tracing back to legendary high school basketball tournaments from the 1980s and 1990s.
Sean Powell, a former strength and conditioning coach for the Chicago White Sox, New Jersey Nets, and New York Yankees, brought the concept to Central Illinois after working with a tournament in St. Louis that featured players like Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway and Shawn Bradley.
Powell originally brought the event to Peoria, but it was Washington basketball coach Kevin Brown who recognized its full potential.
“Coach Brown said, ‘This will not fail in Washington.’ And here we go, 20 years later,” Schermerhorn said.
The tournament was renamed the Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions after Brown passed away from glioblastoma in June 2019.
Following Brown’s death, Schermerhorn and volunteers formed KB Strong, a foundation that works hand-in-hand with the tournament to raise awareness for glioblastoma, the deadliest form of cancer with a 0% survival rate and no cure.
“They work hand in hand to do everything we can to build awareness for glioblastoma,” Schermerhorn said. “As a coach, I say get 1% better. I would love to get 0% to 1%.”
OSF HealthCare serves as the tournament’s title sponsor and collaborates with KB Strong on research and awareness efforts.
One of the tournament’s most special moments is the “reverse signing” on Friday, where children battling cancer sign autographs for the elite basketball players.
“We have children that are battling cancer that sign autographs, and the players come in and get the kids’ autographs,” Schermerhorn said. “It’s one of the most special moments you could see at the tournament.”
Several local teams will compete in the tournament, including Washington, Morton, Metamora, Dunlap, and Peoria High.
Schermerhorn emphasized the value for local programs, even when facing overwhelming talent.
“Think of it from a two-fold standpoint as a basketball coach. You want the ultimate competitive experience for your kids. They are getting memories that are going to last generations,” he said. “They’re going to tell their kids and their grandkids, ‘I played against Player A, B, C or D.'”
The tournament features more than 30 games across five days.
All-week passes are available for $50 for adults, providing access to all games throughout the tournament.
“It’s $50 for an adult pass to get in. That is over 30 games, five days,” Schermerhorn said. “It’s become a Thanksgiving tradition.”
In addition to elite basketball, fans can experience autograph sessions and photo opportunities with future NBA talent.
“It is an experience for a family. Autograph experience, photo ops with future all-stars, future Hall of Famers, and just the environment itself,” Schermerhorn said.
Tickets and tournament information are available at washingtontoc.org.
The tournament runs November 25-29 at Washington Community High School.
Listen to The Greg and Dan Show’s interview with Coach Schermerhorn here:
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