They feel the 31-team, 20-game girls basketball showcase is just what their teams need to get used to a tournament environment with the postseason coming up in about a month.  Those coaches are also looking forward to simply being a part of an event that was so successful last year that USA Today called it "one of the top 3 girls basketball events in the United States."

One of the best teams that will compete in the Classic is Cincinnati Mt. Notre Dame, which is nationally ranked in the USA Today's Top 25 high school girls basketball poll.

While coach Scott Rogers' team could play in any event of its choosing, he said his Cougars make the three-hour trek to Hiland because of the message the Classic promotes.  The Classic, which donates proceeds to the Perry Reese Jr. Scholarship Fund, looks to promote and support racial unity.

"We go (to the Classic) because it is competitive and is a well-run event," Rogers said.  "With it being in honor of coach Perry Reese, it's an honor and a privilege to go.  The kids take a lot of pride in that opportunity to play there.

"Last year, we also visited an accident victim at the hospital and plan to visit him again this year.  Something like that makes it even better to go.  Basketball is secondary to something like that."

John Rowan, coach of Mt. de Chantal, in West Virginia, brings the only team to the Classic from outside Ohio.

He also brings one of the most diverse, with players on his team hailing from countries like Africa, Finland, Yugoslavia, Austria, Romania, England, Serbia and the Czech Republic.

He said he's looking forward to the Classic not only because it will give his team a chance to play against tough competition, but allow the foreign-exchange students on the squad the opportunity to visit another culture.

"It's a chance for our kids to see a different way of life, with the Amish folks and the horse and buggies,: Rowan said.  "Those are things they don't get the opportunity to see (in Wheeling).

"We have a lot of international players, so simply coming to the United States gave them the opportunity to see a different culture, but this affords them the chance to see another one."

Rowan, whose Lions were successful in winning their Classic game last year, said he is looking forward to the competition they will face when they play West Branch on Saturday and Lakota West on Sunday.

"It's an opportunity to see how good we really are," he said.

While the squad from West Virginia may have the farthest to travel, teams a little closer in proximity to Berlin are also looking forward to being a part of the Classic's second year.

One such team plays its home games just 13 miles from Hiland -- that being Matt Voll's West Holmes Knights, who were a part of the inaugural event last year and can't wait to be a part of it again when they play Trinity on Monday evening.

"It's nice to have something of this magnitude so close to home," Voll said.  "Our fans not only get to see us, but a lot of other good teams.  It's amazing the amount of talent that will be there.  With a lot of good teams in one place that creates a lot of excitement for the coaches, players and fans.

"Last year, it was a very well-run event.  The hospitality was fantastic."

While Rowan and Voll both had their teams in the Classic last year, coaches with teams coming to the second-year event for the first time are excited about what they have heard.

"We are thrilled to be part of the Classic in the Country this year," said Princeton coach Jill Phillips.  "I  have heard nothing but positive comments about last year's event.  The promotional material to colleges and to each participating high school team has been unbelievable.

"Competing in this event should prepare us for the tough road we have to get out of our district and region."

Whatever their reasons may be, the teams coming to Berlin this weekend will be thrilled to be a part of the Classic in the Country.