Heartland Hoops Classic Director Tino Martinez says when they started recruiting boys high school basketball teams for the inaugural event in 2008, they weren't sure how successful it would be.

"The Event Center was built and then once we found out it was going to be adaptable for basketball we decided to see how the event would fly, and it's worked out, so we've kept it going," said Martinez.

2012 will be the fifth Heartland Hoops Classic. Officials estimate 3,000-4,000 people make their way to Grand Island for the one-day tournament to watch some of the top ranked teams from each class play.

"It's good for business, it's good for not only Grand Island, but I think all of central Nebraska feels that ripple effect when we have larger events and things going on in here," said Renee Seifert, Executive Director of the Grand Island/Hall County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Organizers say the Heartland Hoops Classic is another chance for Grand Island to show just what caliber of events they're capable of hosting.

"It's a chance to show off the arena," said Martinez. "We've been to some other places that the arenas maybe just aren't quite as nice and the Event Center didn't hold back when they planned and built the place, so the things that you get to be a part of when you come here are second to none."

"We can hang our hat on the fact that we have this caliber and this scale of tournament in our community that is basically something outside of the local school tournaments," said Seifert.

Martinez says the Hoops Classic's unique feel and chance to play a team of equal talent and strength keeps players and fans coming back.

"I think for that aspect of it it creates a state tournament or post-season type atmosphere for them to play in, so I think that's probably the most intriguing thing for them to want to be part of it," he said.

Because it's hard for some high schools to work the tournament into their schedule, Martinez says the Classic will likely stick with the one-day format they've used so far in the future.

Seifert says GI and the Heartland Events Center will keep busy even after the basketball games are over. The state cheer and dance competition will be held next weekend followed by the US Custom Harvesters Show.