Holmes County hosts elite girls showcase with new shot clock pilot

Classic in the Country XXIII will bring a 22-game girls high-school basketball showcase to Hiland High School in Berlin over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, Jan. 17–20. The event is designed as a recruiting platform that pulls elite regional and national talent into Holmes County and will be the only girls high-school event in Ohio using a 35-second shot clock under a pilot program.

Organizers led by Bryce McKey are staging a packed daily schedule across three days, matching teams in a slate intended to attract college coaches and evaluators who use showcases like this to scout prospects. That concentration of talent and visiting staff turns Hiland into a temporary hub for recruiting conversations, scouting reports, and player exposure that many local athletes and families rely on.

For Holmes County, CitC has become more than a sports weekend. The tournament carries a long tradition as a winter tourism and community activity, bringing visitors to Berlin and surrounding towns during a normally slow season. Local restaurants, lodging providers and small businesses typically see increased foot traffic when the gym floors host back-to-back games. Organizers are selling three-day passes as well as single-day admissions to accommodate both out-of-town visitors and residents who want to catch specific matchups.

The 35-second shot clock pilot is a key development for coaches and players. Shorter possession times change game flow and strategy and will be closely watched by college and high-school coaches evaluating how players adapt under different timing rules. For Holmes County athletes, competing under the pilot offers exposure to evolving standards that could shape future recruiting evaluations.

Public-health and logistical considerations accompany the boost in visitors. Large youth events require medical coverage, crowd management, and accessible facilities for families and players. Schools and event staff will need to coordinate transportation, parking and emergency response plans as attendance rises across the three-day slate.

Equity and access are part of the local conversation. Recruiting showcases can level up opportunity for players from small or rural schools, but they can also highlight disparities: travel costs, exposure time and scheduling conflicts sometimes leave talented athletes underseen. Organizers say the event’s packed schedule aims to maximize visibility for a broad range of teams, but families should plan ahead for tickets and logistics.

The takeaway? If you plan to come, buy the day pass or three-day ticket that fits your schedule, expect busy courts and visiting coaches, and remember this weekend brings both sport and dollars to local businesses. Our two cents? Head to Hiland to support local players, ask about accessibility and health measures, and treat the weekend as a chance to showcase Holmes County hospitality while watching the next wave of college prospects.