Basketball, Basketball, and more Basketball
March means one thing in Louisiana's Playground: basketball. From high school showcases to national championships and more, this month is filled with head-to-head matchups you won't want to miss! You know what they say... basketball is bigger in the bayou!
Lake Charles is proud to welcome the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship to Townsley Law Arena in Louisiana's Playground, where the nation’s top junior college women's teams will battle it out for the national title and to see who will be #CrownedInTheChuck. From the first tip to the final buzzer, expect a full week of high-energy matchups, clutch moments, and championship-level competition.
March 24–29: Preliminary rounds (10 AM, 12:15 PM, 2:30 PM, 4:45 PM)
March 30: Semifinals (4 PM & 6:15 PM)
March 31: National Championship (5 PM)
Whether you’re a die-hard hoops fan or just love a great game-day atmosphere, this is your chance to see future stars of women’s basketball and witness a champion crowned on the court. Tickets are available for purchase here, with many different options to best fit your needs, including week-long passes! The championships are stacking up, and SWLA continues to prove to be #WhereChampionsAreCrowned.
McNeese State University will take on yet another year hosting the Southland Conference Basketball Tournament. Men’s and women's teams will be competing for conference titles, with round one playoff games starting March 8th and ending with finals on March 12th. The McNeese Cowboys have made it obvious they’re hungry for another Southland Conference Championship Title…the question we all should be asking ourselves is, is the world ready for the Bayou Bandits this year? Large crowds are expected, so if you’re planning on making your way to Louisiana’s Playground, I’d recommend making those reservations early. You can get tickets, plan your visit, and get all of the information here.
The LHSAA High School Boy's Marsh Madness Basketball State Tournament will return to the Burton Complex March 9th - 14th for the 13th consecutive year! This Lake Charles staple brings in 40 high school basketball teams from across the Bayou State for the week-long tournament. Each game consists of the best teams from each division, with semi-finals being played from Monday through Thursday, leading up to the championship play on Friday and Saturday. The energy in the Burton is sky high and not something you want to miss. You can get all of the information, schedules, and tickets here. Please note, there will be no ticket sales at the door, so make sure to grab those tickets in advance.
Basketball doesn't stop with the championships, as the Louisiana High School Basketball All-Star Games take place on March 20th at the Townsley Law Arena at McNeese. Featuring top talent from all over the state, these games are expected to be highly competitive and energetic. The boys will play at 1 PM, and the girls will immediately follow at 3 PM. For more information on the games and to get your tickets, click here.
From Hardwood to Home Plate
Off the court and onto the field, baseball season has officially arrived in SWLA. The inaugural Marucci First Pitch Classic powered by 2D Sports is set to bring 12 of the best high school baseball teams from across the country right here to SWLA from March 5th - 7th, featuring games around the region at Barbe High School, Sam Houston High School, and McMurry Park. The weekend is set to be full of big hits and highlight plays. It's time for these teams to prove they belong to the nation's best, right here in Louisiana's Playground.
With over 40 college commits in this weekend's tournament, it's truly a match-up of the country's next collegiate standouts. For game schedules, tickets, and more information, click here. You don't want to miss this one!
With the season heating up, Cowboy baseball and Cowgirl softball are ready to light up Joe Miller Ballpark and Cowgirl Diamond all March long. It’s the perfect time to grab your tickets and experience the excitement of spring baseball in Lake Charles.
McNeese Baseball Home Games
Get your McNeese Baseball tickets here!
March 4 - vs. LSU-A
March 6-8 - vs. Houston Christian
March 18 - vs. Prairie View A&M
March 20-22 - vs. Southeastern
March 24 - vs. Southern
March 25 - vs. Louisiana Christian
March 27-29 - vs. Abilene Christian
McNeese Softball Home Games
Get your McNeese Softball tickets here!
March 6-7 vs. Lamar
March 27-28 vs. Incarnate Word
Set into Spring with Beach Volleyball
Lake Charles is bringing the heat to the sand on March 28 as the Sandy Poke Invitational takes over South Beach with teams from Southeastern and Tarleton State. In just their third year as a program, the McNeese Cowgirl Beach Volleyball team will be out there serving up big plays that will keep fans cheering.
Youth Wrestling Comes to SWLA
Get ready to feel the energy on the mats! The Louisiana Kids Folkstyle Wrestling Tournament comes to the Lake Charles Event Center March 27–28, with young athletes from across the state competing for state titles. Fans can catch matches for every age and weight class over two full days of fast-paced action and big moves. For tickets and more information, click here.
More sporting events and details can be found on our calendar of events! For the need-to-know information, big-game updates, and successes of the sporting world in SWLA, be sure to check out Where Champions are Crowned, released on the first of each month on visitlakecharles.org. Let’s Play!
