NCAA regulations prohibit direct contact between college coaches and high school players at a site other than the home campus of the recruiter.  So, the 106 college recruiters who showed up at Berlin had to sit in a separate corner of the gym and keep to themselves.

Considering the sheer number of potential college athletes on court during the three-day event, none of the scouts minded one bit.

"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."

Rathbun, who has been with Eastern Michigan for four years, had 20 Classic in the Country players highlighted in her program.  She was hoping that two will become Eagles.

"Over Christmas break, I bet I put 2,000 miles on my car," Rathbun said. "This event is great for us as recruiters.  To come to one venue and see a ton of talent three days in a row, what more could I ask for?"

Eastern Michigan, this year's Mid-American Conference pre-season favorite and last year's regular season and tournament champions, is 12-3 as of Monday.  The eagles earned a 14 seed in the NCAA national tournament, losing to eventual Sweet-16 team Boston College.

One of BC's assistant coaches was present all three days at the Classic, while Rutgers, the eighth-ranked NCAA team, had assistants on Saturday and Monday.  Sandwiched between, Rutgers dropped a 52-50 decision to now No. 3-ranked Ohio State Sunday, but Rutgers coach Michelle Edwards was still scouting yesterday.

"I used to live in Cleveland and honestly, I've never been to, or heard of, Berlin," Edwards said.  "I must say, coming here and finding out the whole reason behind the event, I'm more than excited to be here.  I didn't know what to expect, but I'm enjoying myself and the talent level is great ... The facilities, hospitalities, and everything else from A to Z, has just been fantastic."

Edwards, a former Cleveland Rockers player, said that she had seen at least four players Monday in which the Lady Scarlet Knights will actively recruit.  She also said that the Rutgers coach who attended the Classic Saturday had a handful of other names.

TRUE MEANING -- The Classic in the Country is about more than just 20 marquee girls basketball games over three days.  Set during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, the event is billed as a "celebration of diversity"

Teams from across the state of Ohio, one from West Virginia, and all fans alike, got a chance to see what's offered in other parts of the Buckeye state.  Participating teams from West Chester Lakota West, Mt de Chantal (Wheeling, WV) and Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame saw a whole lot more, as all three squads visited the Castle Nursing Home in Millersburg during their stay.

"When we come up here, we get more attention than we get in the Cincinnati area," said Mt Notre Dame coach Dr. Scott Rogers, "... so visiting the nursing home is the least we can do to give some of that special treatment back."

Rogers' Cougars visited the same facility last year during the inaugural Classic, where they met Kyle Hostetler.  And when Mt. Notre Dame won the Division I state championship last season, the Cougars' players and staff dedicated the title to Hostetler -- a 2001 Hiland High grad and former basketball player who was severely injured during a one-car automobile accident in July of 2002.

"We went over there (Sunday morning), and to see Kyle with his Mount Notre Dame state championship t-shirt on really touched our kids," Rogers said.

"I'm sure some teenage girls would much rather stay back at the hotel and do whatever, but not our girls.  They're intent on doing important things."

HIT THIS -- The Classic in the Country has a website -- classicinthecountry.org -- and it did very well this weekend.  Leading up to the start of the Classic, and then through Saturday's seven games, more than 50,000 people had logged on to check out team info, player info, updated scores, etc.  After Sunday the number of hits rose to 78,913, and Rob Moser, assistant girls coach and website coordinator, anticipated the number of hits to break 100,000 by mid-day Tuesday.