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For the third summer in a row, the area is home to a premier AAU girls basketball tournament.

Only this time, it won't be just players, coaches and parents in town.

Coaches from more than 200 colleges are expected to be in attendance when the U15 Division I National Championships kick off July 10.

The opening ceremony is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, at Lakota West High School.

"Having 15U, it brings a totally different audience into the county," said Mark Hecquet, executive director of the Butler County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We're expecting representatives from colleges from all over the country. These are the prime recruits that they'll be recruiting the next 12 months. AAU brings together the best teams in the country. We're real excited. It's a great event."

Fifty-four teams are registered, with pool play beginning at 9 a.m. July 10. After three days of pool play, teams will be placed in either the single-elimination Championship or Classic bracket.

The Championship bracket finals is at 1:30 p.m. July 15 at West.

"The level of competition is not going to get much better around the country," Hecquet said. "This is the cream of the crop that's out there in the 15U Division."

Ohio Hardwood Heat is the host club, as its Cincinnati Heat Premier squad coached by Victor Harris is one of eight teams from Ohio.

"It's nice for us to be honored with running the tournament and hosting the tournament," said Andy Fishman, the tournament director and director of the Heat. "AAU has been very gracious with us, and hopefully we're rewarding AAU by running the tournament in a fashion they'd like to see it run in. We're just so thrilled with this opportunity."

In 2006, the area hosted the U12 Division II National Championships, and then last year, the U13 D-I tourney was here. Next summer the U13 D-I National Championships will be back.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5113 or smatthews@coxohio.com.