The National Gay Basketball Association returns to Central Texas as they present the inaugural Lone Star State Championship basketball tournament this weekend, in partnership with the Austin Gay Basketball League, at the Austin Sports Center in Cedar Park. The NGBA hosted its first tournament in the state — the Texas Capitol Classic in Austin — back in July 2012.
Unlike the Texas Capitol Classic, which drew teams from across the nation, the Lone State State Championship will have a regional focus. “The Texas Lone Star State Championships is the first LGBT basketball tournament that will feature players just from the state of Texas, Dallas, Austin and Houston,” says NGBA founder and president Mark Chambers. “This being the first LGBT tournament of its kind, we hope to build excitement around the state and have a goal of building LGBT basketball programs in El Paso, San Antonio, and other cities over the next year,” he added.
The tournament will feature nine teams, with Austin, the home of the first LGBT basketball league in Texas, dominating the tournament with six teams. Dallas and Houston are both represented with a single team each. Showtime is comprised of players from multiple cities.
Events kick off Friday night with the tournament registration party in downtown Austin in the heart of the historic Warehouse District at Rain on 4th from 7-9 PM. Players get VIP pricing with their NGBA card. Games will be played at the Austin Sports Center in Cedar Park at 1420 Toro Grande Dr, Cedar Park, Texas 78613. Tournament play begins on Saturday, July 25 at 9 AM. After games on Saturday, the NGBA will host a party downtown at V Nightclub at 409 Colorado St. Tournament play continues Sunday, July 26. The tournament will close with the awards party at Rain on 4th after the championship games. Additional information available on the NGBA website at www.ngba.org.
Source: http://www.therepubliq.com/sports/basketball/lone-star-state-championship-coming-to-austin
