WHEELING, W.Va.--Friday, coaches from in and out of the area spoke about where this tournament puts Wheeling in the national sports scene.

Earlier in the week, NEWS9 had touched on the tremendous impact this tournament has on the local economy, the national exposure it brings, and the base purpose of the weekend's events.

But coaches from far and wide said it's not just local hype, the CRC is a big-time American high school basketball event.

"We've competed in Cedar Palms, and this ranks just there with them as one of the best tournaments, best events, great hospitality, great people. It's been great for us," said Ray Forsett, head coach of Prime Prep in Dallas, Texas.

In the lobby of the Alma Grace McDonough Center, organizers spent the morning getting registration areas set.  Truckloads of food and beverages were wheeled into the arena, while around the upper concourse of the gym, ESPN crews mounted their cameras in preparation for Saturday's nationally televised games.

"Doc Merrick and his staff have done a tremendous job of not only bringing the teams in but getting ESPN games on and just getting the Wheeling area some tremendous exposure. And it's a big time thing, these teams that are coming in are the top teams in the country," said Mel Stephens, head coach of Wheeling Central Catholic.

"The competition here is great, we got Huntington Prep, they're number one in the country so it's very appealing for us to come and compete and see what we can do," said Forsett.

Many teams, like Prime Prep, spent the morning and afternoon practicing their skills and loosening up before the games begin.

National powerhouses and some of the valley's best ball players were all preparing for a unique experience.

"The kids around here, you see them in the summer league and everything else so it's kind of neat to get somebody that you don't know. And it presents a little bit of a challenge for us as far as preparing, because you don't really know what you're going to get," said Stephens.

Admission for Saturday’s 5 games it will be $4 and $7.

Gates open at 11:30 a.m. and the first game tips off at 12:30 p.m.