Home for the holidays: Area coaches enjoy hosting Christmas tournaments

Many people would readily agree that home is where the heart is.

That heart beats strongly in a figurative sense for several of our area’s veteran hoops coaches when it comes to hosting Christmas tournaments.

All agree that being custodians of long-held holiday hoops happenings is an honor and a privilege, while also presiding over some of the most loved, cherished, and traditional holiday tournaments in the state.

Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, these local leaders on the hardwood won’t have the chance this year to create more lasting memories on their home floors.

Here are some of their thoughts on how special it is to be a host of well-respected Christmas basketball tournaments, and how incredible it is to be home for the holidays.

Mike Filippini (18th year, 264-228)

As head coach of the Hall boys basketball program for a little less than two decades, Filippini has presided over the Red Devils hoop efforts at the Colmone Classic that dates back 47 years since its inception in 1974.

Hall has won the Colmone title seven times, with the last coming in 2013 when the Red Devils defeated Mendota 56-54 for Filippini’s only title coaching at the Colmone.

Filippini also has secured championships at the Plano Christmas Classic in 2007, when Hall upset three-time defending champion Seneca, and two years ago in 2018 at the Marseilles Holiday Tournament, when the Red Devils downed Indian Creek to take the title.

While all three championships are dear to his heart, Filippini values being at home at Christmastime for the Colmone more than any other.

“Playing at home at Christmas has been a huge advantage for me as a coach over the years, as well as it has been for all of my players in the past,” Filippini said. “As a coach, I can get better scouting done on other teams we might be facing in the tournament. Being on the road in past years at Plano and at Marseilles, it’s much tougher to compete with all the logistics involved in traveling to other venues. We haven’t won Colmone since 2013, but to be at home at Christmastime is sure pretty special competing for a title in our home event.

“Winning the Colmone Classic in 2013 in front of our home crowd was a very special memory for me, and something I’ll never forget.”

Kyle Kee (8th year, 136-78)

The bench boss of Plano hasn’t had a ton of success in December during his reign, and the Reapers have never won the Plano Christmas Classic throughout the tournament’s 58 years of existence.

PHS finished second six times, the last of which came way back in 1980 when the Reapers lost to Dwight in the title game.

But Kee feels there’s nothing like being at home at Christmas to defend your home court.

“Traditionally, we haven’t always done so well in our own tournament, but it’s still very special to compete on our home court in one of the biggest and most-respected Christmas events in the state,” Kee said. “To play in your own gym with huge crowds following the tournament is incredibly special. Kids grow up watching those games, and for them to become a part of the tradition that has lasted for decades is invaluable. We’ve played at Colmone most recently, but to go against some of the finest teams in the state in Reaper Gym at Christmas time is something pretty special as the hosts.”

Brent Moore (6th year, 71-66)

Moore has never won the Lady Pirate Holiday Tournament that spans 35 years; Ottawa High School has won 11 championships, the last of which came in 2013 when the Lady Pirates beat Pontiac 52-51 to capture the crown under IBCA Hall of Fame coach and current OHS athletic director Mike Cooper.

Moore believes playing at Kingman Gym at Christmastime is vital in his team’s pursuit of carrying on the tradition of holiday hoops success.

“There’s no question that it’s an advantage playing at home at Christmastime, with all our local fans not having to travel very far to cheer us on,” Moore said. “We’ve had to travel to other tournaments over the years, which sometimes creates obstacles and maybe doesn’t help keep the girls as sharp as they could be if they were playing at home.

“I love our Christmas tournament, and it’s a shame we can’t compete in it this year.”

Tom McGunnigal (23rd year, 428-248)

St. Bede’s veteran leader has guided the Lady Bruins to all six of their championships at the Lady Bruins Christmas Classic dating back to the inauguration of the event back in 1986.

The last of the Lady Bruins’ triumphs came in 2010 when St. Bede beat Eureka 55-46.

“Hosting a Christmas basketball tournament is a lot of work, but it’s a joy no matter what because of the happiness it brings to our communities,” McGunnigal said. “Home tournament basketball at Christmas is surely where we all want to be, with all of the fine traditions. I miss it right now, as well as many others throughout our state.

“Hopefully next year will bring us back again to what we know at Christmastime, and basketball in general.”