2005 NEWS
Classic response from volunteers
Community throws itself into creating the ideal event [01/24/2005]
By DAVE MAST
"This whole thing began as a Hiland girls basketball event. Now the community has taken hold and made it their own, and they have taken it very seriously. It's already at the point where we just steer it. The volunteers and community are the ones who make it work.
Chamber, Classic team up to help bring hoops visitors back [01/24/2005]
By DAVE MAST
The Holmes County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism rolled out the red carpet to patrons visiting the second annual Classic in the Country Challenge over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.
Sunset View residents thrilled by hoops visitors [01/24/2005]
By DAVE MAST
The residents of Sunset View Nursing Home and Scenic View Retirement Center were blessed with a visitation of a very talented and giving group of high school girls during the Classic in the Country last week.
Event, in memory of Perry Reese Jr., provides experience, opportunity for players [01/22/2005]
With all the excitement, both on the court and off, that surrounds the Classic in the Country, event organizer and Ohio Girls Basketball Report director Tom Jenkins said the most important thing is not to forget the meaning of the event and exactly why it is held over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.
Girls basketball sequel even better; event showcases 31 talented teams [01/22/2005]
By CRAIG GIFFORD
Staff Writer
Last year's inaugural Classic in the Country, the 31-team, 20-game girls basketball showcase held at Hiland's Perry Reese Jr. Center in Berlin, was considered to be one of the top three girls basketball events in the nation.
It would seem difficult to surpass such a high billing, but this year's Classic held last weekend over the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, did just that.
20-game showcase over three days [01/20/2005]
By KEVIN LYNCH
Sports Editor
In the opening game of Classic in the Country II, Mount de Chantal of Wheeling, West Virginia built an early lead and held on to defeat defending Division II state champion West Branch 33-28, Saturday at the Perry Reese Jr. Community Center.
Gabrielle Marginean and Ivana Catic paced the Lions with nine points apiece. West Branch got eight points apiece from Tori Arndt and Stacey Braden.
In the second game, Lakota West freshman sensation Amber Gray lived up to the billing, pumping in 19 points to help the Firebirds run past Wooster 57-38.
Hiland honors coach with hawk [01/20/2005]
By BOB FORTUNA
Plain Dealer Reporter
Berlin, Ohio -- To say late Hiland High School boys basketball coach Perry Reese Jr. was bigger than life in the tiny, Amish-dominated town of Berlin is an understatement.
The Hawks compiled a 304-85 record and a Division IV state title in 1992 during Reese's 16 years before cancer took his life in 2000.
At the entrance of Hiland's impressive complex, appropriately named Perry Reese Jr. Community Center, is a symbol of the love this community in eastern Holmes County had for the special African-American man.
Encased in glass is "Perry's Hawk," a real-to-life-looking bird that was hand carved by Texan wood sculptor Joe. D. Shero.
A truly Classic event [01/19/2005]
By JON SCHOLLES
Staff Writer
It didn't take long for me to realize, when I stepped into the Reese Center on Saturday, January 15, that I wasn't there for just a girls' basketball event.
There was a special feeling lingering in the air.
And it wasn't the fact that the top girls' basketball squads in the state congregated for a weekend-long demonstration of their talent.
It was a celebration. Not for basketball. But for two men, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Perry Reese Jr.
More than 100 college recruiters scout talent at 'Classic' [01/18/2005]
By ZACH BOLINGER
Sports Writer
"Ohio is a gold mine for (girls basketball) talent. There are at least five to 10 'big time' players every year, and quality players for every level," said Eastern Michigan recruiting coordinator Lisa Rathbun. "Being a mid-major, I'm in my car non-stop -- we recruit in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and ... Of all the states I mentioned, I truly believe Ohio is the most loaded with talent year in and year out."
Finally, I have some memories of Reese [01/18/2005]
By ZACH BOLINGER
Sports Writer
BERLIN -- I've seen Ohio State win a national championship, and I get paid to play golf seven times a year.
There are still a lot of things I would like to do just once, though.
How about surfing in the crystal clear waters off Hawaii? Or how about actually keeping a New Year's resolution for once? Dunking a basketball would be fun.
All three of those might actually happen someday -- don't forget about adjustable, seven-foot high hoops -- but there is one thing I wish I could do that I absolutely can not. That would be meeting the man who was Perry Reese Jr.
Weekend of magic
Eastern Holmes digs deep to sponsor basketball event [01/17/2005]
By ZACH BOLINGER
Sports Writer
Intentionally scheduled over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, the Classic in the Country is intended to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King and the memory of former Hiland boys basketball coach Perry Reese Jr. -- the first black man in Eastern Holmes County, a man who died of a brain tumor in November 2000 but changed a community's views on race before he died.
Top girls' squads will be in action at 'Classic' [01/14/2005]
T-R Staff Report
Last year was a banner inaugural season for the Classic in the Country. More than 10,000 fans filled the Perry Reese Jr. Community Center with average attendance exceeding 1,200 per game.
Eighty-three college coaches attended last year’s event with Illinois women’s coach Theresa Grentz even stating, “The Big Ten should send their tournament committee to Berlin, Ohio, to see how to put on an event.”
Great THEATER
Girls basketball teams from around the state gather at Perry Reese Jr. Center in Berlin this weekend for the Classic in the Country [01/13/2005]
By TIM ROGERS
Plain Dealer Reporter
BERLIN, OHIO -- Hollywood is calling.
Oh yeah, Hollywood is calling. And they want to tell the Perry Reese Jr. Story. Have your people call his people and we will all do lunch in Bel Air to talk about the story most people in these parts already know.
The real-life story will be made for the silver screen ...
Second-year and first-time teams bring excitement
Coaches share views on classic called one of nation's top girls basketball events [01/13/2005]
By CRAIG GIFFORD
Staff Writer
Coaches who are bringing their teams back for a second go-round as well as coaches whose teams will be there for the first time are all excited about this weekend's second-annual Classic in the Country at Hiland's Perry Reese, Jr. Center.
Classic in the Country II set to return to Hiland [01/12/2005]
By JON SCHOLLES
Staff Writer
Lady Hawks Coach Dave Schlabach believes that the event offers many positive benefits for the players involved and for the community.
"I think this provides a State tournament-type atmosphere, a chance for teams around the state to come in and get a quality game against somebody they normally wouldn't play," said Schlabach. "Finally, the exposure to the colleges; 85 colleges aren't going to come watch Berlin Hiland play on a Thursday night somewhere, but they are going to be there this weekend. It's a good opporutnity for kids to get seen."
Berlin soon to be hopping with hoops
Second annual Classic in the Country set to tip off Saturday at Perry Reese Jr. Community Center [01/11/2005]
By ZACH BOLINGER
Daily Record Sports Writer
Tucked away in the heart of Berlin's Amish country is an 1,800-seat gymnasium -- one of a kind as far as high school facilities are concerned.
A vast majority of the time, a quiet breeze and peaceful pace surround this Perry Reese Jr. Community Center located behind Hiland High School.
That will all change Jan. 15-17, as after a more-than-successful inaugural Classic in the Country, "Ohio Girls Basketball Report" and Hiland High have joined together for the Classic in the Country II.
Classic II will be even better
Girls basketball showcase will feature nationally ranked teams, state champions [01/10/2005]
By CRAIG GIFFORD
Staff Writer
"As great as it was last year, this year's field is even better," Jenkins said. "It's extremely hard to single out one game that will be the highlight this weekend because every game serves a purpose for the teams competing in it."
Classic in the Country II: Premier girls basketball showcase [09/10/2004]
By Holmes County Chamber of Commerce
Berlin Hiland High School located in Berlin, Ohio will be hosting the second annual "Classic in the Country Challenge". The event will be held over Martin Luther King Day weekend taking place January 15, 16, 17, 2005.
The #1 single-state scouting service in the country, Ohio Girls Basketball Report, has put together 20 marquee games featuring over 60 Division I college prospects.
Classic in the Country Challenge. All rights reserved.