By Meredith Gardner
meredith.gardner@theindependent.com

The seven-game tournament wasn't just a chance for hoops fans to enjoy a day of high school basketball talent, but also served as an economic boost for the Grand Island area and a showcase for the HEC's Eihusen Arena.

The arena, which seats up to 6,000 people, opened its basketball floor for use in November.

Few high school teams get to play in a venue of the HEC's caliber, said Tino Martinez, a coach for the Grand Island Central Catholic boys' basketball team and organizer of the Heartland Hoops Classic.

"It's a unique thing," Martinez said. "It's the only event of its kind in the state."

The Heartland Hoops Classic featured pre-district, tournament-style play and attracted 14 teams from Grand Island, Palmer, Kearney, Boys Town, Ainsworth, Sioux City, Ralston, Fremont and Wahoo.

HEC officials said they hope the tournament can be a jumping-off point for opportunities to host more sporting events in the future, said Deb Sweley, HEC office manager and events coordinator.

Visitors who have a good time will likely return to their hometowns and spread the word about the HEC, hopefully bringing more future business and events to the arena.

"We still find that there are so many people in Nebraska that don't even know we're here," Sweley said. But after seeing the HEC's amenities, "They don't forget us."

Judging from comments from the fans, Sweley's hope was likely to come true.

Chuck Lacey of Wahoo said he was impressed by the arena's quality.

"This is nice. It's a good atmosphere," Lacey said.

Other fans, such as Tami Jacobsen of Ainsworth, said they appreciated the HEC's central location.

"It's not as far as Omaha, which is nice," Jacobsen said, adding the HEC had good seating and was much larger than she anticipated.

The venue might even be better than Kearney's, said Chris Pocock of Kearney.

"I think it's terrific," he said. "It's a much more comfortable arena than Kearney's ... This is a great, great event for basketball in the central part of Nebraska."

Sporting events like the Heartland Hoops Classic aren't just good for the HEC, however. They benefit the Grand Island area as a whole, Sweley said.

After driving 90 miles from Wahoo, Lacey decided to spend the whole day in Grand Island, spending his money in local retail stores and restaurants.

The same went for Jacobsen, who shopped at the mall and Wal-Mart. She also planned to stay at a hotel overnight with many of her fellow Ainsworth fans.

Feedback on the tournament and the venue was nothing but positive, Martinez said, and many fans said they would be happy to return to the HEC.

In the future, the HEC hopes to make strong pushes for similar tournaments and competitions involving a variety of sports, Sweley said, including state basketball and volleyball.

"It really has a big, big impact on our city and this region," Sweley said. "It's a big positive."