FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Lutheran Basketball Association of American (LBAA) returns to Fort Wayne for the fourth year in a row. It marks the 77th annual national tournament. 32 boys' teams and 25 girls' teams arrived Thursday in the summit city to participate in the opening ceremony with ho pes of bringing home the Lutheran National Basketball trophy home Sunday. The tournament is being held at Turnstone. Teams from schools as far as California, Iowa, Florida, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and all over the Midwest are competing. According to a press release from Visit Fort Wayne, this event's economic impact to the community from the first event in 2022 to this year's is estimated at $4.6 million. Rob Gasser, President of LBAA, said he enjoys coming back the area each year. 22 Fort Wayne hotels are being utilized throughout the weekend. "Turnstone has just turned it up," said Gasser. "They have given us more things, more room, and just keep improving. But so has Fort Wayne, Visit Fort Wayne has been outstanding to work with." Back to Square One: East Central community garden plans uncertain after grants halted The growth of the tournament is thanks to the Fort Wayne community. "We love Fort Wayne," Gasser said. "We love everybody here, and the growth has increased because of the infrastructure support that we have." All four courts are being used under one roof at Turnstone. The local teams competing this year are both the boys and girls teams from Emmanuel St. Michael Eagles. ...read more read less