Basketball: High school holiday tournaments are off in Willmar

WILLMAR — If a winter sports season does take place in Minnesota, it will do so here without a pair of area basketball staples.

The annual Heritage Bank WildCard Tournament and the Bremer Bank Holiday Classic each were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tournaments are not permitted in current guidelines created by the Minnesota State High School League, the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Health.

Photo Gallery: New London-Spicer at Willmar Cardinals Photos from the Heritage Bank Wildcard Holiday Basketball Tournament championship game on Friday from Willmar High School.

The Holiday Classic is held every year at Willmar High School. In 2019, the host Cardinals went 2-0 during the boys basketball showcase, including a 76-67 victory over the New London-Spicer Wildcats.

Willmar and New London-Spicer alternate as hosts of the WildCard Tournament. NLS moved past the Cardinals 41-36 in girls basketball to capture the WildCard Tournament last season.