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Summary
Houston-area Pasadena ISD hosts what's been billed as Texas's largest pre-Thanksgiving high school tournament. Played the Thursday-Friday-Saturday before Thanksgiving across multiple Pasadena ISD gyms, with a free YouTube stream.
What makes this tournament distinct
Pre-Thanksgiving timing means you get a hard look at programs before holiday tournaments, and games stream live for free.
Who it fits
Best for: Houston-area programs and out-of-state teams wanting an early-season Texas litmus test.
Tradeoffs: Multi-site format means parents and scouts split between gyms; not all games get the same crowd or production quality.
Texas private/parochial state finals, classifications 1A through 6A boys and girls. Played at multiple host sites the last weekend of February. The TAPPS counterpart to UIL for accredited Texas private schools.
San Antonio. The UIL public-school state tournament for boys and girls, all classifications 1A through 6A, played at the Alamodome in March. Earn your way through district and regional brackets to get here.
Lubbock. About 96 teams across nine gyms in four ISDs over three days at year-end. Run by Lubbock Caprock AMBUCS, with proceeds funding adaptive AmTrykes for people with disabilities. Every team gets at least four games, no entry fee.
Atlanta, Georgia — Hawks-Naismith season opener at Holy Innocents' Episcopal in late November. Sixth annual in 2025, two girls games and four boys games on a single Saturday. Same operating partnership (Hawks, Tipoff Club, Naismith) as the December Holiday Classic.
Started in 1971 by Lloyd Williams and Vertis Sails to give inner-city Memphis players a competitive stage. Began at Melrose with nine teams. Hamilton High became the permanent host in 1992; girls divisions started 1993, middle schools 2009. 50+ years running.
National Prep Tournament in Fort Walton Beach, Florida takes both high school and post-grad programs. Applications stay open through October 31. If you want a competitive early-March slot without invitation-only barriers, this is the one to apply for.