The Classic is a joint effort between Hiland, the Berlin community and Ohio Girls Basketball Magazine, featuring 33 of Ohio's best girls basketball teams and hundreds of the state's top basketball players taking part in 20 games.

After four years of sponsoring a similar girls basketball showcase in Pickerington, OGBM director Tom Jenkins came to an agreement with Hiland coach Dave Schlabach more than a year ago to move the annual competition to Berlin.  For Jenkins, the first of many showcases to come at the Perry Reese Jr. Center was a smashing success.

"This event exceeded my expectations in a lot of ways," Jenkins said.  "No. 1 was the community, the hospitality of the staff.  No. 2 was the atmosphere that was created.  No. 3 was the quality of competition, and No. 4 the positive cause of the event.  Every single one of those categories exceeded our expectations.  It's without a doubt the best event I've helped organize over Dr. King weekend in this, the fifth year I've been doing this."

Jenkins estimated that more than 5,000 people walked through the doors of Hiland High School during the three-day event.

As important as the event itself, was the timing of the event according to Jenkins.  He said it was fitting to hold the Classic over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend because many of the proceeds will go toward the Perry Reese Jr. scholarship fund.

Reese, like King, helped a community change its perception of multiculturalism.  Reese, who took Hiland's boys to four state tournament appearances, entered a village that had not been used to a black man and became one of Berlin's most beloved residents before dying of cancer in 2000.

Copley coach Steve Coon was one participant over the weekend who was pleased to pay homage to Reese.

"To think we got to do this in honor of Perry Reese is quite an honor," he said.

The fans, who saw 20 games worth of exciting basketball over the weekend, and the Reese foundation were just two of the winners.

The 33 teams that competed in the showcase also benefited by facing quality competition just weeks before the postseason tournament begins.

Schlabach, whose Div. IV Hawks knocked off defending Div. IV state champion Marion Local on Saturday and hung tough with Div. II contender Copley  Monday, was pleased with the level of competition his team saw.

"We knew if we did not play well we were not going to win and that's exactly what you need," Schlabach said.  "These were quality games.  We wanted to challenge our kids.  Those were two great tests for us."

Coon, whose Copley squad beat Hiland 42-38, echoed similar sentiments, saying, "We got exactly what we wanted.  We wanted good competition in a difficult atmosphere to get ready for the tournament and that's exactly what they provided for us."

It was also a good weekend for college scouts and recruiters.  More than 81 colleges across the nation had a representative, ranging from big-conference schools in the ACC and Big Ten to smaller Div. III colleges.

Those colleges were thrilled to have the opportunity to witness the talent on hand in Berlin.

"It's the one time in the middle of the season that we have the opportunity to see multiple teams," said Curt Miller, head girls basketball coach at Bowling Green State University.  "We're limited to 40 days of scouting, so we can't usually see every team and every player, so this is a great opportunity.

"This is an event that you have to cover, especially if you're an in-state college."

Numerous coaches glowed over the fact that it was one of the best-run high school events they had scouted, nationwide.

"It's a quality tournament," said Russ Sarfaty, an assistant at Bucknell.  "Tom Jenkins has put together a quality field, it's extremely well-planned and well-organized.  The town of Berlin has gone overboard in hosting it.  There is a large number of prospective student-athletes here."

With the first Classic now in the rearview mirror, Hiland and Tom Jenkins have already begun looking ahead to year two and beyond.

"Even prior to this event we invited teams so they could work it into their schedule making," Jenkins said.

"We pretty much have filled the slate.  Within the next 15 days we'd like to release the schedule for next year."

Much like this year, in which fans were treated to multiple games involving teams like Hiland, Cincinnati Mt. Notre Dame, Cincinnati Winton Woods and Dayton Chaminade-Julienne, next year the top-notch teams will be showcased more than once, including Cleveland Central Catholic.

"We try to give teams that have the longest distance to travel two games," Jenkins said.  "The teams that were traveling in excess of three hours, we tried to give them two games if they wanted them.

"The other thing is, teams that have very special players, we'll give them two games.  What happens in this event is a lot of colleges play on Saturday or play on Sunday so with a good player going twice, the colleges will be able to come and see her."

Although the Ohio Girls Basketball Magazine pulled out of Pickerington after four years, Jenkins said he doesn't expect anything like that with Berlin, where he figures the Classic to be held for years to come.

"Several college coaches said this was the best in-season high school event they've been to in America," Jenkins said.  "That's not a bad compliment first year out of the shoot.  That's a compliment to the people of Berlin.  That's a compliment to the athletic department and staff here at Hiland.

"As far as I'm concerned, this is the permanent home of the Classic in the Country.  This is something, athletics are something, that will help with racial harmony.  It's very important to the people of this community to perpetuate the legacy of coach Perry Reese.  The Classic has found its permanent home. It will perpetuate hopefully long after I'm gone."