Applebee Honored at Jones County Invitational
by KDLT Sports
January 11, 2013 6:55 PM
When the Three Rivers Conference boys' basketball tournament came to an end over four decades ago, then–Superintendent Maurice Haugland, Harold Thune… father to current U.S. Senator John Thune… and then–boys' basketball coach Jerald Applebee were looking to fill the boys' basketball void.
45 years later, the Jones County Invitational is running strong.
This year, the event will honor the co–founders, dedicating the auditorium itself to Thune, and naming the court after Applebee.
Applebee says he is humbled by the honor, and is still amazed by the success of the tournament.
Applebee says, 'The most rewarding thing about it is that we've been able to continue it for 45 years, that's for sure. Kind of with the understanding that it's the longest–running invitational in the state of South Dakota. You know we have conference tournaments back east and so on that's been going for a number of years, but invitationals, they seem to come and go, and this one's been able to hang on out here in Central South Dakota.'
The recent winter storm has postponed tonight's scheduled dedication until play resumes at the Jones County Invitational tomorrow.
