For the past several years, the Classic has brought more than $1 million annually into the county, and it continues to grow and gain in stature, not just in Ohio but throughout the nation, where it has been dubbed the best girls basketball showcase in the nation, and has been attended by the likes of ESPN, Nike and other national sports conglomerates, as well as hundreds of scouts and college coaches.

However, with the economy struggling, Dave Schlabach, event organizer and head coach of the Hiland Lady Hawks, said that finding support for the event has been a struggle this year.

"At this point and time, we're simply trying to generate interest in something that is a whole lot more positive than the economy is right now," said Schlabach.

"The Classic has proven to be a very beneficial economic plus in our county and even beyond it.  In this day and age, creating a positive buzz about an area that is so closely linked to attracting tourism is very important -- especially in a time when tourism is not at its peak."

That time would be winter, when tourism in the county slows down to a crawl at times.  Classic in the Country which is held over Martin Luther King weekend each year, has played a key role in filling hotel and bed & breakfast rooms, filling restaurant dining tables, and convenience stores and gas stations.

But as important, however is the residual effect it has on the county's economy.

"Any time we can bring people into our county is a plus," said Schlabach.  "This is an opportunity for us to showcase what we have to offer here to people outside of our county.

"The Classic is more than just about basketball.  It has been and always will be.  When we first created this, we saw it as an opportunity to inject a great deal of income into our economy here in Holmes County.

Schlabach said that the Classic is currently at approximately 75 percent of what it needs to sustain itself, adding that nobody within the organization running the event is getting rich from the weekend.  Most of the proceeds go into the Hiland Athletic Booster Club, but the majority of the donations from sponsors go directly into creating this one-of-a-kind event, which is recognized as one of the premier basketball showcases of any kind in the nation.

Upwards of 170 college coaches descend on Holmes County in the dead of winter, more than 20,000 basketball fans converge in the Reese Center, battling for a seat.  The event's website received more than 100,000 hits in January alone last year, as the showcase continues to generate talk throughout the state.

That kind of excitement is why Schlabach said the need for funding is so important to the event's success.  It's why Nike, Adidas, ESPN and many other national entities have been drawn to explore the Classic.

"We want to continue to offer an event which provides the very best in entertainment, and continues to draw the national spotlight on Holmes County," said Schlabach.

"In order to do that, we can not afford to spare any expense.  There are two things which are essential to our success.  The community give us volunteers and the area businesses offer us financial backing -- all for the good of the county as a whole.  Without either one of these, the event dissipates."

This year, Classic in the Country VI offers what coordinator Tom Jenkins called, "The best line-up we've ever had," in terms of competition.  Almost every one of the high-caliber, big-name teams are back, and in addition, University, New Jersey, which features no less than 10 future Div. I college scholarship players.

It is exciting basketball and an exciting time for the county, as the event continues to provide an economic boon for the area.  To contribute to the Classic in the Country, either as a volunteer or a sponsor, call Schlabach at 330-763-3553.