DOTHAN, AL--"We've been pursing this tournament since 2006, so persistence pays off," said Dothan Leisure Services Assistant Director Larry Patrick.

Around 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, city leaders got the call they've been waiting for.

"Dothan will be hosting the Southeast Regional AHSAA Basketball Tournament here in Dothan Alabama, explained Patrick, in the Dothan Civic Center."

The contract will last for three years.
Not only are city leaders excited to host the tournament, they're looking forward to the economic impact it will have on the local economy.

"It should create indirectly half a million dollars economic impact each year so for three years that's 1.5 million dollars," said Conventions & Visitors Bureau Director Bob Hendricks.

48 teams will tip off in the Civic Center, February 19th through the 23rd.

"It's going to be great for the city of Dothan to bring 48 teams to Dothan it's just going to be a great thing for the economy a great thing for our citizens to get a chance to enjoy some high school basketball," added Patrick.

City leaders say they were up against a few other places like Troy University but they felt pretty good during negotiations.

"We felt pretty confident, you never know in these things, said Patrick, we put our best foot forward."

And that best foot, was enough this time around.

The 48 teams consist of 24 high school boys teams and 24 high school girls teams.

2013, February 19th-23rd
2014, February 18th-22nd
2015, February 17th-21st