“We have five new schools this year, but in tournaments like this, there will always be a little turnover,” Wilson explained. “We guarantee each team four games, which is a big draw. Whatever the level, whether they’re one of the strongest or weakest in the field, every team should have at least two good games. That’s one of the aspects many of the schools like about our tournament.

“Most of the schools keep coming back because of the way they’re treated and taken care of,” Wilson added. “That’s also why we have other schools reaching out to us, telling us they’re interested in coming. We even have schools from out-of-state. Just a couple of weeks ago, a school in Florida sent me an email, expressing an interest.”

There should be plenty of excellent basketball on display for the three days.

“There will be different styles and some very good players here,” Wilson noted. “A kid from Oak Lawn is headed to Duquesne and several others will be playing at the next level. There will be a lot of things for the fans to watch.”

The Christmas Classic began in 2013 when Effingham and Teutopolis schools formed a tournament partnership and began making plans. It got a big-time boost when an outstanding committee was assembled and went to work.

But the difference between this local tournament and most of the others hinges on the financial support that is received from businesses and individuals.

“We couldn’t do this tournament without our corporate sponsors and the fantastic support we receive from the community,” Wilson emphasized.

This year, there are 25 major sponsors. Their generous contributions allow the tournament committee to offer financial assistance to the participating schools that helps offset costs of travel, meals and lodging. That’s why the Christmas Classic is attracting schools from various parts of the state.

This year’s sponsors include Linder’s Limited/McDonald’s, Dekalb/Asgrow, Servpro, J&J Ventures Gaming, Effingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, JCCI, Pizza Man, Sanitation Service, Midland States Bank, Tingley Insurance, Taylor Law Offices, Sarah Bush/Bonutti Clinic, Treign, Stevens Industries, Effingham New Car Dealers, Grunloh Construction, Dieterich Bank, Holiday Inn, Teutopolis State Bank, Washington Savings Bank, Weis Insurance, Joe’s Pizza & Pasta, Inline Physical Therapy, Imagine This and Jimmy John’s.

Their support is the foundation of the tournament’s success.

But it doesn’t stop there.

The Effingham and Teutopolis Sportsbackers also play a vital role, as do the food sponsors – Joe’s Pizza, Pizza Man, Kountry Kitchen, McMahon Meats, Jimmy Johns, Buffalo Wild Wings, Niemerg’s Steakhouse and Kirby IGA. Thanks to their generosity, the teams, coaches, officials and media are fed and fed well.

If fans cannot attend the games, they can follow the results online at the tournament’s website – www.ehamttownxmasclassic.com. The site will include team rosters, up-to-date game scores and stats, tournament history and links to radio stations so fans can listen live.

The tournament committee deserves high praise. What this group has accomplished over the years is nothing short of amazing. At a time when you hear every year of another holiday tournament or two shutting down, the Effingham/Teutopolis Christmas Classic continues to flourish.

This reporter has had the privilege of attending a couple of the committee meetings. With all the joking, laughing, pizza and adult beverages, some might wonder how any actual work gets accomplished. But don’t be misled. Through all the razzing and storytelling – much of which has been greatly embellished over the years – this group of men and women have everything under control.

Everyone is responsible for some facet of the tournament, whether that’s contacting and getting information from participating teams; arranging for officials; securing corporate sponsors and other businesses to donate food and other necessary items; getting volunteers to help during the event; accumulating information and selling advertising for the tournament program; taking care of the media; lining up motel rooms; and even providing laundry service for the teams.

The committee consists of Mike Wilson, Jeff Hardiek, Mitch Koester, Chris Kreke, Chris Koester, Mike McCollum, Laurie Thompson, Dave Woltman, Steve Boswell, Chris Zerrusen, Scott Niebrugge, Morgan Wilson, Jason Runde, Kent Niebrugge and Keith Hartman.

Thanks for all your efforts in making the Effingham/Teutopolis Christmas Classic a huge success.