2006 NEWS
Confessions on the concessions [01/19/2006]
By DAVE MAST
Staff Writer
One would think that running a concession stand for the Classic in the Country would be no different than any other Friday night Hawks' boys game at the Perry Reese Community Center.
But nothing could be further from the truth, as the concession stand committee and ther faithful group of volunteers make everything extra special, including a menu that some restaurants would love to have.
State's Best convene in Berlin [01/19/2006]
By LAUREL SCHEFFEL
T-G Sports Writer
Forget the state girls basketball tournament.
Ohio teams should just try to earn an invitation to the Classic in the Country Challenge at Berlin, Hiland.
Over the weekend, 30 of the best teams in the state participated in the three-day event that drew scouts from 125 colleges around the country, including every Big Ten, Big East and SEC school and locally, Ashland University.
The classic is in its third year, but has been named one of the best in the nation by USA Today. It was easy to see why. I attended the tournament Monday for the final day, and though I didn't really know what I was getting into, it was worth the $8 cost of admission.
A visionary event remembering visionary men [01/18/2006]
By JON SCHOLLES
The Budget
When Perry Reese Jr. - a catholic, African American - came in 1983 to Berlin, known for its large Amish/Mennonite population, to become an assistant coach under Charlie Huggins, he too "had a dream." Not to change the world or bridge racial gaps but to simply win basketball games.
At first, Reese was met with resistance but, like Dr. King, he persevered, collecting 49 wins and just four losses his first two seasons as head coach of the Hawks (1984-85, 1985-86). Over time, his intense and passionate on-court persona and his loving, giving and respectful off-court demeanor began to entrench itself in the community, uniting the locals while making him a beloved figure.
So it is very fitting that for the past three Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend's, Hiland High School has held it annual Classic in the Country Challenge, which USA Today coined as one of the three best high school event's in the nation. The three-day event was designed to showcase the top prep girls' talent from across the state, but also to perpetuate the memory of Dr. King and Reese.
Volunteers keep stomachs full with homemade food [01/17/2006]
By ZACH BOLINGER
Daily Record Sports Writer
BERLIN - Holmes County and handcrafted items go together.
It's no different with the Classic in the Country and its concessions.
Holly Troyer, Deb DeSeyn and Naomi Troyer led a food club of 90 volunteers that served just homemade food. The trio of Troyer's and DeSeyn organized a system that went through more than 240 pounds of chicken, sold more than 400 jumbo-sized chocolate cookies, 700 fry pies and countless roasters of chicken-noodle casserole.
At 2 PM Monday they also had made 250 pounds of popcorn and used close to 100 rings of Trail Bologna for sandwiches. Across the board, they had sold double the amount from Classic in the Country II last season.
Big winner economically
Classic weekend fills restaurants, hotels, shops [01/17/2006]
By MATT TULLIS
Staff Writer
By the time the last shot tickled the twine and the final buzzer buzzed at Classic in the Country, Holmes County's economy had the biggest win of all in the 20-game basketball weekend.
Event organizer and Hiland girls basketball coach Dave Schlabach estimated the tournament, which brought in 30 teams from all over the state and West Virginia, would pump upward of $400,000 into county coffers through sales at hotels, restaurants and shops.
Reese: 'A true friend'
Family describes impact on community [01/16/2006]
By ZACH BOLINGER
Daily Record Sports Writer
BERLIN -- It may be a little over five years since the death of legendary Hiland boys basketball coach Perry Reese Jr., but Shelly and Allan Miller know Reese is living up to a promise he made.
In June 1990, Shelly and Allan were in the process of finalizing a unique adoption, a first for Holmes County. Jordan was the boy's name, and he was black -- just like coach Reese.
"All Perry said was that he would be there, and somehow, someway, I know he's watching over us now," Shelly said. "Perry insisted that if Jordan had any questions about his heritage or anything else, that Perry would answer them. He was a true friend who changed our entire community."
Dreaming big has paid off for CITC [01/15/2006]
By AARON DORKSEN
Daily reocrd Sports Editor
If you dream big, there's no telling what the result might be.
Just look at what the folks in Holmes County have done with the Classic in the Country Challenge.
Classic gears up for weekend [01/12/2006]
By DAVE MAST
Staff Writer
How much has the Classic grown in its three short years?
According to Jenkins, USA Today named it one of the three top high school events in America (in any sport); all three top national scouting services will be in attendance, including Kevin Powell of Roundball Journal, Mike White of All-Star Girls' Report and Chris Mennig of Blue Star Index; Mary Thompson, head of women's basketball marketing for NIKE will also be on hand.
"That's a pretty impressive list," said Jenkins. "Those guys won't just show up for no reason."
Classic in the Country honors two who made a difference [01/12/2006]
By DAVE MAST
Staff Writer
The incredibly short time span in which Classic in the Country has developed into what USA Today deemed "one of the best three high school athletic events in any sport in America" is amazing.
Classic in the Country a 'can't miss event' [01/10/2006]
By ZACH BOLINGER
Daily Record Sports Writer
The Classic in the Country is set for its third go-round, and the girls basketball showcase to be held Saturday through Monday continues to draw rave reviews.
Hiland's Classic in the Country profitable for county all year around [11/20/2005]
By DAVE MAST
As Classic in the Country rolls around for its fourth year, one doesn't have to look far to see what kind of an economic impact this girls basketball event has had on Holmes County and its surrounding areas.
Lodging facilities, be it bed and breakfasts or inns, are full to capacity during the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday weekend.
Classic in the Country Challenge. All rights reserved.