(La Porte, IN) - Everything is set to go for the third annual La Porte Invitational, featuring some of the nation’s top-ranked high school basketball players.

 

Today's first game starts at 4:30 p.m. with La Lumiere, the 11th-ranked team in the nation, facing No. 2-ranked Long Island Lutheran.

 

All of the games, televised nationally on platforms like ESPN and YouTube TV, will be played at the Civic Auditorium, as Auditorium Director Brett Binversie notes that the nearly century-old facility looks like a major basketball venue just hours from game time.

 

“The platforms are up. The cameras are up. The sponsor banners are going up right now. It’s looking like a great time for basketball,” he said.

 

The first 800 people through the gates will receive a free La Lumiere t-shirt to wear during the game to show support for the Lakers.

 

Binversie said he expects a near-sellout crowd for the game.

 

“We’re expecting at least 900 to 1,000 people here. We’re really looking forward to a great atmosphere for all of the games this weekend,” he said.

 

There are two more matches between some of the best teams in the nation following tonight’s La Lumiere game, with tickets still available for games today, tomorrow, and Saturday.

 

The doors today open at 3:30 p.m.