Budget Travel - Options for decent hotel room during event?

So...

I am going to cheer on the sis at State finals. The event is held in W. Podunk and the few halfway acceptable hotels nearby are full-up. Not being a top-tier elite with a reservations guaranteed promise, is this any other way (priceline, hotel website, etc..) to make sure 3 people can get a room that doesn't look like it usually has hourly rates (the "2*" hotels are more like "0.2*" hotels)? Needless to say, I am willing to pay a premium.

Thanks!

mods- please move if needed.

Being an elite may not help either if they determine it to be special circumstances.

I would call the hotels you are interested in directly every day to see if they have had any cancellations. Other than that, your only option may be priceline type places, but you need to do your homework to try and see what others have gotten in the area so you don't need to bring flea spray before you bid.