7 Must-See High School Basketball Tournaments in Washington This MLK Holiday

Sarge
Jan 16
5 min read

Every third Monday in January, the nation honors Martin Luther King Jr. Day—a federal holiday dedicated to celebrating the enduring legacy of the iconic civil rights leader.

Beyond its historical significance, this day has also become a prime occasion for high school basketball showcases across Washington, the region, and the country.

If you're looking to catch some of the state's top basketball programs in action, here are seven must-see MLK holiday tournaments happening in Washington:

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3:00 p.m. – West Valley (Yakima) (Boys) vs. Bellevue

MLK INVITATIONAL

Date: January 20, 2025

Location: Renton High School, Renton,WA

Format: Boys and Girls High School Basketball Showcase

Premier Matchup:

The MLK Invitational at Renton High School boasts a thrilling lineup of games, headlined by the defending Class 3A girls state champion Garfield facing off against Mount Si in the marquee evening matchup. Another must-watch game features West Valley of Yakima, led by standout guard

Landen Birley, battling the relentless, high-pressure defense of Bellevue, currently ranked No. 6 in Class 3A.

Tickets:

General Admission: $10

Game Schedule:

9:00 a.m. – Renton (Girls) vs. Cedar Park Christian
11:00 a.m. – Franklin (Boys) vs. Hazen
1:00 p.m. – Eisenhower (Girls) vs. Bellevue
3:00 p.m. – West Valley (Yakima) (Boys) vs. Bellevue
5:00 p.m. – Garfield (Girls) vs. Mount Si
7:00 p.m. – Renton (Boys) vs. Issaquah

With elite programs, standout athletes, and high-stakes matchups, the MLK Invitational promises an action-packed day of competitive basketball that fans won’t want to miss!

KING SHOWCASE

Date: January 20, 2025

Location: ShoWare Center, Kent, WA

Format: Boys and Girls High School Basketball Showcase

Premier Matchup:The long-running King Showcase in Kent has assembled another powerhouse lineup, featuring seven out of eight games between teams ranked in the top 15 of their respective classifications. One of the day’s most anticipated matchups is the clash between defending Class 4A champion Mount Si boys and Oregon powerhouse Tualatin—a game that promises high-level competition and excitement.

Tickets:

Adults: $10
Students & Senior Citizens: $5

Game Schedule:

9:00 a.m. – Kent-Meridian (Boys) vs. Seattle Academy
10:30 a.m. – Lynden (Girls) vs. King's
12:00 p.m. – Lynden (Boys) vs. King's
2:00 p.m. – Bellarmine Prep (Girls) vs. Clackamas (OR)
3:30 p.m. – Mount Si (Boys) vs. Tualatin (OR)
5:00 p.m. – Puyallup (Boys) vs. Lake Washington
7:00 p.m. – Glacier Peak (Boys) vs. Kentwood
8:30 p.m. – Auburn (Girls) vs. Woodinville

With elite matchups and a lineup packed with top-ranked teams, the King Showcase is the place to be for high school basketball fans eager to catch some of the best talent in action.

MLK 'THE DREAM' SHOWCASE

Date: January 20, 2025

Location: Federal Way High School

Format: Boys and Girls High School Basketball Showcase

Premier Matchup:The MLK 'The Dream' Showcase at Federal Way High School is set to deliver some of the best girls' basketball action in the state. Two marquee matchups in the Class 4A girls division headline the day: No. 1 Davis (Yakima) faces off against No. 7 Tahoma, while No. 5 Lake Washington squares up against No. 2 Sumner in a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s thrilling showdown.

Tickets:

General Admission: $12.50

Game Schedule:

9:00 a.m. – Graham-Kapowsin (Girls) vs. Federal Way
10:30 a.m. – Silas (Boys) vs. Rogers (Puyallup)
12:00 p.m. – Camas (Boys) vs. Stadium
1:30 p.m. – Richland (Boys) vs. Tahoma
3:00 p.m. – Davis (Yakima) (Girls) vs. Tahoma
4:30 p.m. – Davis (Yakima) (Boys) vs. Federal Way
6:00 p.m. – Ellensburg (Girls) vs. Emerald Ridge
7:30 p.m. – Lake Washington (Girls) vs. Sumner

With top-ranked teams and high-stakes matchups, the MLK 'The Dream' Showcase promises an action-packed day of elite high school basketball you won’t want to miss.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DIAMOND SHOWCASE MLK CLASSIC

Date: January 20, 2025

Location: Lower Columbia College, Longview, WA

Format: Boys and Girls High School Basketball Showcase

Premier Matchup:The MLK Diamond Showcase at Lower Columbia College shines a spotlight on some of the region’s top small-school basketball programs. Leading the lineup is hometown favorite Mark Morris, ranked No. 6 in Class 2A, taking center stage in the primetime slot against Evergreen of Vancouver, led by electric scorer Dez Daniel. This matchup promises to be one of the most exciting of the day.

Tickets:

Adults: $10
Senior Citizens & Children (12 and under): $7

Game Schedule:

9:30 a.m. – Kalama (Girls) vs. Battle Ground
11:00 a.m. – Toledo (Boys) vs. Castle Rock
12:30 p.m. – Hockinson (Girls) vs. Kelso
2:00 p.m. – Kalama (Boys) vs. Wahkiakum
3:30 p.m. – Napavine (Girls) vs. Scappoose (OR)
5:00 p.m. – Tumwater (Boys) vs. Battle Ground
6:30 p.m. – Evergreen (Vancouver) (Boys) vs. Mark Morris
8:00 p.m. – W.F. West (Boys) vs. Kelso

With a full slate of competitive matchups and a focus on small-school talent, the MLK Diamond Showcase offers an exciting day of basketball for fans in Southwest Washington.

CATHOLIC CLASSIC 2025

Date: January 20, 2025

Location: Kennedy Catholic High School, Burien, WA

Format: Boys High School Basketball Showcase

Premier Matchup:The Catholic Classic 2025 brings together some of the top Catholic school basketball programs in the state. The headline game features a highly anticipated rematch between 3A Metro powerhouses—O'Dea and the reigning WIAA state champion Eastside Catholic. Just five days prior, O'Dea handed Eastside Catholic a 69-54 loss, and now the Crusaders are giving up a home game for this neutral-site showdown. Expect a battle filled with intensity and pride.

Tickets:

Adults: $7
Students & Senior Citizens: $5

Game Schedule:

1:30 p.m. – Bellarmine Prep vs. Eastside Catholic
3:00 p.m. – O'Dea vs. Eastside Catholic

With powerhouse teams and a fierce rematch on deck, the Catholic Classic promises an afternoon of high-level basketball that fans won’t want to miss.

MLK DAY CLASSIC

Date: January 20, 2025

Location: Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA

Format: Boys and Girls High School Basketball Showcase

Premier Matchup:Seattle Pacific University makes a strong return to the MLK basketball spotlight with a full day of action-packed games, highlighted by two highly anticipated matchups. Leyto Martin and Arlington square off against Beckham King and Seattle Prep in a showdown of rising stars. The excitement continues as Woodinville’s head coach Michael Kelly leads his squad against a familiar 3A Metro rival, Roosevelt, in a game packed with intensity and history.

Tickets:

General Admission: $10

Game Schedule:

10:00 a.m. – Ballard (Boys) vs. Mercer Island
11:30 a.m. – Ballard (Girls) vs. Bainbridge
1:15 p.m. – Port Angeles (Boys) vs. Eisenhower
3:00 p.m. – West Seattle (Boys) vs. Kentridge
4:30 p.m. – Seattle Prep (Girls) vs. Kentwood
6:00 p.m. – Seattle Prep (Boys) vs. Arlington
7:30 p.m. – Roosevelt (Boys) vs. Woodinville

With top-ranked teams, standout players, and thrilling matchups, the MLK Day Classic at Seattle Pacific University is a can’t-miss event for basketball fans ready to witness some of Washington’s best high school talent.

PUGET SOUND HOLIDAY CLASSIC

Date: January 20, 2025

Location: UPS Memorial Fieldhouse, Tacoma, WA

Format: All-Girls High School Basketball Showcase

Premier Matchup:As the only all-girls basketball invitational during the MLK holiday, the Puget Sound Holiday Classic promises a day filled with elite competition. Highlighting the event is reigning Class 4A state champion Camas, returning after last year’s dramatic overtime victory over Garfield. This year, the Papermakers take on Class 3A contender North Thurston, led by standout and North Florida signee Soraya Ogaldez, in a must-watch matchup.

Tickets:

Adults: $15
Students & Senior Citizens: $10

Game Schedule:

1:30 p.m. – Mead vs. Roosevelt
3:00 p.m. – Gig Harbor vs. West Seattle
4:30 p.m. – Camas vs. North Thurston
6:00 p.m. – Lakeside (Seattle) vs. Sammamish

With championship-caliber teams and high-level talent on display, the Puget Sound Holiday Classic is the perfect destination for fans of girls’ high school basketball.