Clash at the Border begins Saturday

By Terry Murry on Friday, February 2nd, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – After a long absence, Clash at the Border returns in high gear tomorrow (Saturday) at a number of gyms in Pendleton. The third through eighth grade AAU basketball tournament went away during the pandemic, but the Pendleton Basketball Club has brought it back full force with 49 teams from as far away as Spokane Valley competing.

Games begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. They will be held at Sherwood Heights Elementary School, Sunridge Middle School, Nixyaawii Community School, and Pendleton High School. Washington Elementary School will also be hosting games on Sunday.

Information on when and where teams are playing can be found on the SportsEngine Tourney Machine app available free at Google Play and Apple. Admission to the games is $7 for adults, $5 for students aged 6-18 and seniors 55 and older, and free for children 5 and younger.

The volunteers working on Clash at the Border credit Aaron Schmidt with doing the heavy lifting to bring the popular tournament back. Area businesses have also shown support as sponsors. They are Hills Premium Meats, Elkhorn Media Group, Mac’s Bar & Grill, Big John’s Hometown Pizza, St. Anthony Hospital, Prodigal Son, Rainbow Café, The Yogurt Shoppe, CTUIR Economic and Community Development, Oxford Suites, Farm Equipment Headquarters, Hodgen Distributing, McCormack Construction, U.S. Foods Chef’s Store, Walmart, and Coldwell Banker Farley Company.

Clash at the Border is a qualifying event for the 2024 Oregon Middle School Basketball Championship tournaments to be held in Central Oregon. The girls will compete March 1-3. The boys take the court March 8-10.