Since 1954, high school basketball squads have converged in southwest Missouri to face off in the Neosho Holiday Classic. Over the years, the tournament has provided thrilling match-ups, amazing upsets, nationally ranked teams, Division I college players and NBA talent.

Branco Enterprises, Inc, tournament sponsor since 1998, is proud to bring another year of excellent high school basketball to Neosho, Missouri.

While the tournament has a rich history, it began to waiver in the 90s. At its lowest point, it included only four teams, one of which was the Neosho junior varsity. Aiming for a tournament revival and noting that successful high school basketball tournaments are driven by both business and community support, Branco Enterprises, Inc. stepped in and became the official tournament sponsor in 1998. Since then, the tournament has grown by leaps and bounds and has become one of the premier tournaments in the nation. A girl's division was added in 2001, and the tournament achieved the goal of fielding 16 boys teams and 16 girls teams in 2009 (the 2011 edition also fielded 32 total teams).

In the decades since, the Neosho Holiday Classic has continued to draw high-level programs and future college standouts. Local media describe it as “one of the most anticipated sporting events in the Four-State Area,” with teams traveling in from Arkansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas and beyond each December.

The 2024 Neosho Holiday Classic once again showcased that depth of talent. In the boys Gold Division, Conway (Arkansas) edged Morrilton (Arkansas) 62–57 in the championship game. In the Black Division, Benton (St. Joseph, Missouri) defeated Memphis Middle College (Memphis, Tennessee) 53–41 to claim the title.

Local programs have also made memorable runs in recent years. Neosho has captured multiple Black Division championships in the early 2020s; in one title game, the Wildcats topped McDonald County 70–63, with guard K’dyn Waters earning tournament MVP honors after pouring in 38 points and 12 rebounds in the final.

On the girls side, recent tournaments have highlighted emerging college-level players from around the region. For example, during the 2024 Holiday Classic, Neosho senior Beclynn Garrett recorded 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in a single game, illustrating the level of all-around talent that continues to come through the event.

Today, the Holiday Classic is still regarded as one of the premier high school basketball tournaments in the Midwest, with brackets routinely filled by strong programs from Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Local tourism and news outlets highlight the tournament’s “electric atmosphere” and its role as a staple of the winter sports calendar for fans across the Four-State Area.