2nd Annual Winter High School Basketball tournament hoping to avoid weather

By: Darren Doyle

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Local boys and girls high school basketball squads are ready to take on diverse competition this Friday and Saturday with the return of the Winter High School Basketball Showcase hosted by the St. Joseph Sports Commission. 

The showcase will feature 16 games over two days, with 12 ranked teams battling it out at the Civic Arena in Downtown St. Joseph. Making the trip will also be two No. 1-ranked girls basketball teams from Nebraska, along with teams from other parts of Missouri. 

As of now, one of those teams is Lincoln (Neb.) Christian's girls' hoops will take on Benton at 4:00 p.m. On Friday, Bennington (Neb.) girls' basketball takes on Central at 5:30 p.m.

The ability to host diverse competition is what brings teams back to the St. Joseph area, according to St. Joseph Sports Commission Director Brett Esely.

"Teams, like, playing in an arena-like atmosphere. We only have so many days and time slots in which to do so. And so we saw the need to create another event," Esely shared. "You can obviously play more games; there's more flexibility to schedule. And also, it just tends to be that time of year when other events are going on."

Along with unfamiliar foes, fans will also have the chance to see in-town rivalry classics, such as Central boys hoops taking on Lafayette at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2.

Esely is also excited to complete this year's showcase despite the weather changes. During its inaugural run at the beginning of 2025, the area was hit by a massive snowstorm that caused the showcase to run short.

"We played a full schedule on Friday, but we only got four games played on Saturday and lost a couple of really good matchups in the evening," Esely said. "So, knock on wood, anything can happen this time of year, but the weather looks good this weekend."

For tickets and updated scheduling information, fans can visit stjomosports.com or the St. Joseph, MO Sports Commission on Facebook.