BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — This weekend was filled with basketball and business in Binghamton, as the city hosted the state's 2018 Boys Basketball Championships.

Thousands from across the state cheered on the high school athletes as they competed at the arena for the second time.

The tournament's director says last year's snowstorm caused a drop in attendance, but says there was a bigger crowd this year.

Local businesses also noticed, benefitting from the difference.

A manager at the Holiday Inn says the hotel was much busier this time around, and events like this increase awareness for visitors so they come back.

"Especially people who don't usually come by this area, so they can see the cool bars, restaurants, the river, the riverwalks, things like that that we have," said Rocco Edwards, the Holiday Inn bar and Restaurant manager. "It just exposes more people to what we have to offer."

The tournament's director says he hopes to host the championship in Binghamton again next year.