Duncan said one format discussed for the tournament was to invite teams from the state capitals of surrounding states. “Even- tually, the committee settled on the idea of four in-state and four out-of-state teams and to match up in-state against out-of-state
with the four in-state and four out-of-state team concept. “There has always been great community support for the tournament, and it’s a venue that players have always enjoyed being a part of,” said Fox. Duncan for a long time. He coached Steve’s son, Kirk, in basket- ball. He says Duncan is someone who will always volunteer and go above and beyond what is asked. “Steve is a great advocate for the of this magnitude with just a few people. As chairman of the Holiday to bring people and concepts together.”
At one point, there were separate local holiday tournaments for the
on those tournaments. “It was Steve Duncan who was able to bring the two committees together and function as one,” said Fox. “It’s a committee that meets throughout the year with the goal of trying to make the holiday tournaments the best tournaments that they can be.” says it is impossible to replace the knowledge and history that Steve Duncan has regarding the holiday basketball tournaments. “His past experiences not only help guide us, but also prevent us from considering something that may have been tried previously and didn’t go well. His guidance and leadership make our work more will hear ‘Ask Steve,’” said Verslues.
“As my involvement and knowledge of what takes place behind the scenes and in prepping for the tournaments increase, so has my desire to work alongside all the committee members to provide an elite experience for players, coaches, family members and the entire community,” said Verslues. Talking to Steve Duncan, you get the strong sense that the holiday
basketball tournaments are very special to him.
activity for the student-athletes who participate and for fans of quality high school basketball,” said Duncan. “I look back at the teams who have played here and some of the players who have gone on to play in in the tournament and then go on and win a state championship.”
has been on the committee since the beginning. He has witnessed
DECEMBER 27-29
GREAT 8 AND SELECT 8 HOLIDAY BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS
“Steve Duncan has been a good leader for us for several years,”
have him to lead us.”
local coaches and players provide an hour of teaching basketball High School cafeteria for all the teams and coaches. Following the brunch, teams head to the Fleming Fieldhouse, where they will compete in a three-point contest and skills test. Also, as part of the experience, an all-academic team will be an- nounced. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe came up with the idea when he owned Kehoe Ford, which was a major tournament sponsor. “Ac- ademics are so important, and we want the kids to realize that and we want to recognize those kids who are not only great athletes but great students,” said Duncan.
the committee receives several letters and e-mails each year from coaches or athletic directors from out-of-state schools comment- ing on the quality of the tournaments and how welcome they were made to feel. “One of the unique things about our tournaments is that we assign a team host to every team, out-of-state or in-state,” said Duncan. “Many of our team hosts have received letters from their team and coach after the tournaments, and the comments are always so very positive.”
the tournaments and watch some great basketball.
Show-Me Sports /// 89
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