Neosho Holiday Classic: 70 Years of basketball tradition

NEOSHO, Mo. — For 70 years, the city of Neosho has given a Christmas gift to basketball fans everywhere.

Tonight, we take a look at the simple but effective strategy organizers use to make the tournament a holiday "must" for teams from across the nation.

"You have teams that are coming in that are traveling for a reason," said Brandon Joines, McDonald County High School boys basketball coach.

McDonald County basketball coach Joines says one of the reasons teams from Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Ohio make the trek to Neosho for the Holiday Classic is how well the tournament is run.

"You don't have a tournament last 70 years and get teams to come back unless you run some things well," said Joines.

The tournament began in 1955 when the gym these athletes are playing in first opened.

"Back in 1955 they didn't have a whole lot to do over the holidays," said Justin Branham, president of Branco Enterprises and member of the Neosho Holiday Classic planning committee.

Branham says times have changed, and people are busier than ever on Christmas, but...

"If you're going to go to Neosho over Christmas, you're going to have a holiday basketball tournament," said Branham.

Branham says the secret to their success is a simple formula.

"A lot of hard work, a lot of perseverance, a lot of dedication," said Branham.

Planning for each year's tournament starts in early January, on the heels of the previous tournament.

"What did we do good, what challenges did we have," said Branham.

Over the years, the tournament has attracted teams featuring future Division I, and even NBA talent.

"Carson Edwards was one, from Atascocita, who came in here and played," said Branham. "Not only was he a fantastic gentleman, and ended up playing for Purdue, he was one of the first people that volunteered to go help clean the stands after his game one night."

Whatever the future may hold, Branham says one thing has remained consistent about the players coming to Neosho over the past seven decades.

"They're just kids playing basketball for the love of the game," said Branham.

And along the way, maybe teaching each other a few new tricks.

"You're playing people that aren't typical for around here, and even to get to watch them play, and that's always a positive," said Joines.