Border Olympics boys and girls basketball tournaments return to Laredo (2021 schedule)

The annual Border Olympics high school girls and boys basketball tournaments make their return to the Gateway City after a one-year hiatus.

LAREDO, Texas - The annual Border Olympics high school girls and boys basketball tournaments make their return to the Gateway City after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 24 boys teams and 21 girls teams will compete on the hardwood in Laredo from Thursday through Saturday (Dec. 2-4). 

BOYS DIVISION

The boys pool play features some heavy hitters with six teams that are ranked in the latest Texas Association of Basketball Coaches polls in four divisions. They will battle it out at the Laredo Nixon and Laredo United gymnasiums.

In the 5A division, No. 9 Boerne Champion makes its way into town to play in Pool C along with Laredo Johnson and Tuloso-Midway. The Chargers open tournament play against Tuloso-Midway at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday at Laredo Nixon. 

Laredo Johnson (8-3) is off to one of the best starts in the program’s history and they're utilizing Tuesday’s 85-69 victory over Laredo Martin as the springboard to tournament play. The Wolves tangle with Tuloso-Midway at 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

Pool H features two state ranked teams in two divisions. McMullen County is ranked No. 5 in 1A while San Antonio Jefferson (4-3) is ranked No. 12 in 5A. The duo will battle it out with local Laredo St. Augustine, who is the only private school in the tournament. 

The Cowboys (2-0) waste no time in the tournament as they take on a tough Laredo St. Augustine team at Laredo United. Tip off is set for 11 a.m. Thursday. In McMullen County’s second game the Cowboys have a showdown against San Antonio Jefferson at Laredo United with first whistle set for 2 p.m. Thursday The Knights (5-3) finish the opening day with San Antonio Jefferson at 5 p.m. at Laredo United gym No. 2. 

Laredo will have an opportunity to see the No. 2 team in the state when San Antonio Cole plays in Pool 3 along with Laredo Alexander and Crystal City. The Cougars (4-3) are in Division 3A and have been steady in the rankings. They will open with Crystal City at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

Laredo Alexander (1-4) is coming off a 44-40 overtime loss to Weslaco on Tuesday and open the tournament with Crystal City at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Laredo Nixon gymnasium. The Bulldogs conclude the day with San Antonio Cole at 6:30 p.m. 

Somerset is ranked No. 8 in the 4A division and head to the tournament sporting a perfect 5-0 record. The Bulldogs play in Pool E alongside Laredo United and Harlingen. Somerset opens with host Laredo United at 12:30 p.m. Thursday and then finishes with Harlingen at 3:30 p.m. Laredo United (4-6) plays their second game at 6:30 p.m. against Harlingen.

Pleasanton is ranked No. 20 in 4A and plays in Pool G along with Laredo Martin and Cedar Park at Laredo United. The Eagles open with Laredo Martin at 11 a.m. and then Cedar Park at 2 p.m. The Tigers take on Cedar Park at 5 p.m.

Pool A features Laredo Nixon, Edinburg Vela and Victoria West. The Mustangs (5-4) open with Edinburg Vela at 11 a.m. The Sabercats are coming off a 67-56 victory over Laredo United South on Tuesday. Edinburg Vela takes on Victoria West at 2 p.m. while Laredo Nixon battles Victoria West at 5 p.m.

Laredo Cigarroa plays in Pool D along with Harlingen South and San Antonio Madison. The Toros open with the Hawks at 11 a.m. Laredo Nixon and finish off with San Antonio Madison at 5 p.m. Harlingen South takes on San Antonio Madison at 2 p.m.

Pool F has Laredo United South, Kingsville and Schertz Clemens. They play their games at Laredo United. The Panthers (5-6) battle Kingsville at 12:30 p.m. and then play Schertz-Clemens at 6:30 p.m. Kingsville and Schertz-Clemens play at 12:30 p.m.

GIIRLS DIVISION

On the girls’ side three state ranked teams make their way to Laredo. Laredo United South coming into the tournament ranked No. 17 in 6A while Converse-Judson is ranked No. 22. Bishop made their first state appearance last year and are ranked No. 6 in 3A. Pool play will be two days and the teams will be playing at Laredo United South main campus and Laredo United South freshman campus 

Pool A features Converse Judson, Rio Grande City, San Antonio John Jay, Harlingen, Laredo Johnson and Alice. The Lady Rockets (10-3) open with Rio Grande City at 1 p.m. at the freshman campus. 

Laredo Johnson (9-7) takes on Alice at 10 a.m. at the freshman campus and Rio Grande City at 4 p.m. San Antonio John Jay plays Harlingen at 11:30 a.m. and Converse-Judson at 5:30 p.m.

Laredo United South leads Pool B along with Bishop, San Antonio Marshall, Laredo Cigarroa and Edcouch-Elsa. The Lady Panthers (11-4) battle Laredo Cigarroa at 10 a.m. and then take on Edcouch-Elsa at 1 p.m. Bishop (4-1) opens with San Antonio Marshall at 11:30 a.m. at the main campus and then Laredo Cigarroa at 2:30 p.m.

Pool C consists of Laredo United, San Antonio Edison, Weslaco, Laredo Nixon and Crystal City. Laredo United (11-4) battles district foe Laredo Nixon at 10 a.m. and then finish with San Antonio Edison at 2:30 p.m. Laredo Nixon (11-4) has Weslaco at 1 p.m. San Antonio Edison plays Crystal City at 11:30 a.m. at the freshman campus. 

Pool D has Harlingen South, Laredo Alexander, San Antonio South San, Laredo Martin and Zapata. Laredo Alexander (6-6) takes on San Antonio South San at 11:30 a.m. at the main campus while Harlingen South tangles with Laredo Martin at 1 p.m. Zapata and Martin meet at 10 a.m.