Basketball fans aren't the only ones cheering the return of the Slam Dunk to the Beach basketball tournament to Cape Henlopen High School in nearby Lewes.
Tourism officials from the city of Rehoboth are welcoming back fans with open arms after more than a decade since the tournament ended its initial 13 year run.
Nearly 20 thousand people were expected to be in the beach resort town over the past weekend where 16 boys teams from high schools around the country competed in the revamped contest that was a fixture during the 1990's.
Carol Everhart, President and CEO of the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce said the large influx of people taking advantage of restaurants, hotels and entertainment was a welcome and familiar sight that's seldom seen in the winter months.
"It was a summer holiday time,” she exclaimed. “We were slammed for Slam Dunk - and beyond. Because not only were they here and are they here for Slam Dunk, but it was also the Christmas holidays all over the weekend. "
Everhart said the town definitely felt the loss when the tournament shut down after 2003.
"Any time that you've been having an event on an annual basis and you lee it for whatever reason it has a negative impact. So having that back only added to the sweetness of the holiday."
Everhart anticipates the tourney will be back next December - likely bigger and better.
