When you set foot inside the tiny gymnasium inside St. George Church during the annual Harry Agganis Basketball Tournament that is contested for four action-packed days, there is a sense of something special going on. The banners that hang from the walls in the lobby and from the rafters above the court tell the history.One player who knows all about “the Harry” and what it means is John Galaris, born in Manchester, NH but bred in Peabody.Galaris was a mainstay on the floor at St. George for over a quarter-century, winning three championships with St. Vasilios out of Peabody before retiring. He was lured out of that retirement in 1983 to play for a St. George team that reached the finals.One player on that team was a young center named George Mazareas, who went on to play professionally in Europe and in the tournament before being diagnosed with ALS.For the past three years, the Agganis Tournament organizers have presented the “Maz” Award to a player who displays tremendous passion, courage and a competitive spirit while conducting himself with fair play and sportsmanship on and off the court.On Sunday, Galaris became the fourth player to earn the honor when he was presented with the award by tournament director Bill Booras.”George was a wonderful kid and a great human being,” said Galaris as he fought back tears. “And it’s really difficult to see him go through something like this. But it’s amazing how he’s handled it and fought through this thing.”Galaris was a stellar player at Peabody High before taking his talents to Salem State. As a Viking, he was named a three-time All-American and still holds the school’s all-time scoring record with 2,429 points.After college, Galaris traveled to Greece to play professionally for three years and on the Greek National Team. Returning to Massachusetts, Galaris began working as an administrator at Salem State.He became the school’s athletic director in 1981 and two years later found himself lacing up the sneakers again when an old friend – Arthur Fiste – wanted him to play for the St. George team in the tournament.Galaris also admitted that there was another reason for his wanting to play.”The first time I got to play here was when I was around 14,” Galaris said. “And the real reason I came back is that one of my sons was 12 at the time and was beginning to play and I wanted to introduce him to the world of Greek basketball.”Galaris served as Salem State’s athletic director until handing the post over to Tim Shea in 2002. He also has been inducted into the SSC and New England Basketball Halls of Fame along with the National AHEPA Hall of Fame.Galaris also couldn’t help but laugh at seeing the younger generation take the floor as a part of the tournament’s high school division.”This brings people from all over the country together,” Galaris said. “And now, I’m watching the children of some of the younger players that were playing when I retired.”Since retiring from Salem State, Galaris splits his time between Salem and Florida, where he and wife Mary Ellen are grandparents to Justice and Jared.”I am proud to receive this award in George’s honor,” Galaris said. “He was a great player and a great person. It’s just sad to see him struggling in this way.”