And every time the same report gets more and more incredible.

The week heading into the event, the predictions come out that this year's version will somehow top the previous year's showing.

The teams get better, the crowds get bigger and the college coaches show up in larger droves.

"I probably say this every year, but I think it got better," said Hiland coach Dave Schlabach, who plays a big role in the event. "But the crowds were steadier and the scores were closer than ever."

And the numbers don't lie.

Each day posted bigger attendance numbers than last year's record-breaking showing. Tournament director Tom Jenkins said part of that was a group deal, that allowed any team -- from high school down to elementary -- with up to 12 players and three coaches allowed to attend for a low rate.

The count late Monday was that 173 college coaches showed up at the event, higher than the 146 that watched the action last year, and twice as many as showed up in the first CITC. They had to open a second section in the stands for college coaches, the first time they've expanded beyond the usual one section they've allotted them.

Jenkins got an affirmation from Calvin Powell, who runs Basketball on the Bayou, in Louisiana.

"I said, 'You go to a lot of high school events, which one has the most college coaches?'" Jenkins said. "He said, "Are you kidding me? Last year I went to one of these in Virginia and there were just 40, what you do, these numbers are reserved for July exposure periods when we aren't in-season."

The usual number big summer AAU events aim for is 200 coaches. At the current rate, the Classic will be at that mark next season.

On top of that, this year's games weren't too shabby, either.

Fans got to see two USA Today Power 25 teams get bumped. Div. III powerhouse Regina proved to be one of the best teams in any division, knocking off heavyweights from the top two divisions. Div. IV Africentric showed moxy in knocking off Div. I North Canton Hoover, which turned around and beat nationally ranked Lexington (Ky.) Catholic the next day. And Cincinnati Mt. Notre Dame proved to be the best team of the weekend, hammering teams while playing with at least six Div. I players on its roster.

Fans got to see 29 players that have already signed to play Div. I college basketball. And there's well over 75 in the lower grades that can't sign yet that will eventually ink a scholarship. All this is in a 29-team tournament. That's roughly four Div. I prospects per team.

But the attention to detail was second-to-none.

Media members were greeted at the media loft at the Reese Center with a smile, a media guide and a plush seat.

Teams were usually greeted by Schlabach, and told good luck. Winners would often see a congratulatory handshake from the man that's coached Hiland to three state titles.

And teams that weren't invited that showed up were led to an open spot in the bleachers by a volunteer.

The now-famous volunteers somehow managed to be even warmer than in years past.

"Just the volunteer work and the community is huge," Schlabach said. "As an organizer, the job gets easier. People are coming back to help and they're helping in the same spots.

"I'm not getting a lot of the questions I've got in years past."

On top of that, the CITC generated well over $1 million for local businesses, including restaurants and hotels that were doing tons of business.

And, the CITC provides a perfect vehicle to promote the lives of former Hiland boys coach Perry Reese and Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King. That means the most to Jenkins, a former Civil Rights lawyer, and Schlabach, a close friend of Reese's.

"I used to coach, and Dave coaches, and every coach every year is in pursuit of perfection," Jenkins said. "And we ain't perfect yet.

"When we did this, we thought we could have the best event in America, and I think if you poll the coaches now we have moved beyond one of the top three.

"Every year, Dave and I try something new, we're both goal-oriented," Jenkins said. "One of our goals is to have the first live televised girls high school basketball game shown across America."

If things keep going like they are, that'll be less of a goal and more of a reality.