Schmeckenfest Showdown To Bring Loads of Teams to LG
La Grange will welcome dozens of basketball teams Dec. 3–5 for the third annual Schmeckenfest Showdown, featuring 92 games and visitors from across Texas and as far away as Australia.
The tournament includes six divisions for varsity, junior varsity and ninth-grade boys and girls. Games will be played at the high school, middle school and both Hermes gyms.
Tournament founder Trent Collier hopes to make the Showdown part of the community’s Schmeckenfest festivities, bringing visiting teams and families to La Grange for basketball and the downtown celebration. Thursday’s games will conclude early so participants can join the festivities.
The boys’ varsity field includes La Grange, Schulenburg, Luling, Lockhart, Bastrop, El Campo, Vanguard and Australia’s Western Heights. The girls’varsity field features La Grange, Needville, Houston Episcopal, Anderson-Shiro, Hutto, Manor, Victoria West and Western Heights.
Brenham, Seven Lakes, Weimar and Coupland will also be represented in the younger divisions.
Thursday’s opening games for La Grange’s varsity teams will give elementary students a chance to watch their hometown teams in action. The Leopards face Schulenburg at 10:30 a.m. in Hermes Gym 2, followed by the Lady Leopards against Western Heights at 11:45 a.m. Both games were scheduled at Hermes specifically so elementary students could attend.
Local fans can also catch consecutive La Grange varsity games in the high school gym Thursday afternoon. The Lady Leopards face Needville at 2:15 p.m., followed by the Leopards against Lockhart at 3:30 p.m.
Friday morning brings another pair of La Grange varsity games in the high school gym. The Leopards face Luling at 9:15 a.m., followed by the Lady Leopards against Houston Episcopal at 10:30 a.m.
Each varsity team will play two additional games, with opponents and times determined by pool standings. Championship and consolation play will conclude Saturday.
La Grange’s JV boys, JV girls and ninth-grade boys will also compete, giving fans opportunities to watch the younger players in the local basketball programs.
Admission is $10 per day or $20 for a tournament pass. With three days of basketball and Thursday evening’s celebration downtown, the Showdown aims to give visiting families another reason to spend the weekend in La Grange.