2nd Annual MLK Warrior Basketball Classic Set For Saturday, Jan. 23 In Lake Charles
by Hunter Bower // GeauxPreps.com Owner
LAKE CHARLES – The 2nd Annual MLK Warrior Classic will feature some of the top-notch high school basketball teams from around the state of Louisiana and even Alaska when the all-day event takes place Saturday, Jan. 23 at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles.
The first game for the annual event will start at 9 a.m. with a slew of girls and boys basketball games taking place throughout the day.
Doors are scheduled to open at 8 a.m. with tickets available for purchase at the door. Regular admission is $15 while kids aged 0-5 will be allowed in for free. Coaches who present an LHSAA Coaches Card can purchase a ticket for $10.
“This tournament is going to eventually be the elite showcase event in the Southern Region,” said Hamilton Christian basketball coach and event organizer Dexter Washington. “For the state of Louisiana where so many of our basketball players are under recruited it is imperative that, as a veteran coach, I do whatever is necessary to get our kids exposed.”
The event was originally designed to give teams a feel for what it is like to play in a state championship atmosphere. Burton Coliseum serves as the host venue for the Boys Top 28 State Tournament while Southeastern Louisiana hosts the Girls Top 28 tournament.
Saturday’s schedule of games comes just five months after two devastating hurricanes tortured the Lake Charles area and battered most of the communities participating in the MLK Warrior Classic.
“For the city of Lake Charles, it gives the forgotten sport of basketball and its kids an opportunity to experience Burton Coliseum as well as exposure they may not get elsewhere,” said Washington.
Due to COVID-19 safety measures, seating capacity is set for 1,550 for each game, and the Burton Coliseum staff reserves the right to clear the arena after the completion of each contest to allow fans of teams who will play in the next game to be allowed in.
2nd Annual MLK Warrior Classic
Saturday, Jan. 23 • Burton Coliseum • Lake Charles, La.
9 a.m. – White Castle vs Cecilia
10:15 a.m. – Fairview vs JS Clark
11:30 a.m. – South Beauregard vs East Iberville (Girls)
12:45 p.m. – Fairview vs. Anchorage Christian School, AK (Girls)
2 p.m. – St. Louis vs Anacoco (Girls)
3:15 p.m. Anacoco vs Destrehan
4:30 p.m. – North Central vs St. Thomas More
5:45 p.m. – Grand Lake vs Northside
7 p.m. – Washington Marion vs Iowa
8:15 p.m. – Hamilton Christian vs Ville Platte
- – Times and participants subject to change