BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

ST. JOHN — St. John superintendent George Highfill launched the idea of a midseason basketball tournament when St. John High School’s gym was built in 1966.
Fifty years later, the St. John Mid-Winter Classic is celebrating its 50th anniversary in grand fashion with a color program, courtesy of Pratt’s Taylor Printing. It’s a labor of love for more than 100 community volunteers.
More about those Mid-Winter Classic homemade pies in a bit.
Tournament director Rick Hunley said the community’s pride shows through every year.
“Our goal is to provide a positive experience for every player, coach and referee, something they will remember,” Hunley said. “We want everyone to enjoy their week.”
The St. John tournament was run for two years as a round-robin with St. John, Larned, Greensburg and Medicine Lodge competed. When Medicine Lodge elected to compete elsewhere, Highfill launched the idea of an eight-team tournament.
“Mr. Highfill was a Lions Club member and St. John’s Lions Club started the Mid-Winter Classic as a money-making project in 1969,” said Hunley.
Hunley inherited the director duties from longtime Lions Club member Gerald Goodman, who developed the Mid-Winter Classic into a well-attended tournament.
“When Gerald moved to Hutchinson, he gave me the the pleasure of running the tournament,” Hunley said. “I shadowed him to get a clue what was going on. It takes a lot of work to organize. It’s a community-based tournament rather than the Lions Club because it requires everyone in the community to pulls together.”
Each team is assigned an adult and a student assistant to escort the team and take care of whatever needs that might arise.
“You always want backup so that there is someone to take their place in case something happens,” Hunley said.
The program, coordinated by Jerry Maddox, features plenty of supportive advertising plus history of the Mid-Winter Classic.
“Jerry Mattox developed the idea of using color this year,” Hunley said. “He does a fantastic job with the programs.”
Team sponsors feature Chad Fisher, Vance Fisher, Rick Russell, Brian Davis, Trey Burgan, Jerry Rutti and Mike Christie, Jerry Maddox. Ryan Witt escorts the officials. Tammy Rosenberg supervises the hospitality room.
A special display will showcase past tournament programs for the public to view. Virtually all of the programs are available from the past 39 years.
The Mid-Winter Classic has achieved its reputation because of the local home cooking coordinated by Vic Martin. The well-equipped kitchen features beef, chili, potatoes and regular fare of popcorn, pop and candy.
“It’s a giant family reunion,” Martin said. “It’s busy, but a lot of fun working in the kitchen.”
Martin’s No. 1 choice is the slow-cooked barbecue beef sandwiches.
For many, it’s the homemade pies that keep fans returning. Hudson’s Wheatland Cafe pie-making experts contributes its slice of heaven.
“If the truth be told, there are some fans who come down for the food — especially the homemade pies,” Hunley said.