Woodville High School’s first ever USA Basketball Tour has taken flight, with 27 students and four staff travelling across the United States from 2–17 December. Our Varsity Boys, Junior Varsity Boys, and Varsity Girls teams are competing in two major high school tournaments, attending NBA matches, visiting leading U.S. colleges, and experiencing life as elite student athletes. The tour takes students through Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and finally Los Angeles, where they will explore Hollywood, tour UCLA, and enjoy Universal Studios. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our Basketball Academy athletes.
A major highlight so far has been the La Grange High Basketball Tournament in Texas, where both our Varsity and Junior Varsity Boys teams won their Championship games. Students described the day as an exciting mix of competition, team bonding, and shared experiences. One student reflected on Day 5, explaining that the group began with an early breakfast before heading into their first match at 9:15am. After grabbing lunch and snacks from a local supermarket, they returned for their second game at 2:15pm. Later, the Varsity Girls and Junior Varsity Boys visited the Leopards American Football Stadium to throw the ball around and unwind. After an early dinner at an Italian restaurant, the group returned to the stadium to support the boys in their grand final matches, celebrating together as both teams secured strong wins and earned tournament trophies. The experience strengthened team chemistry and built excitement for the rest of their American journey.
The NBA experiences have been equally unforgettable. In their first few nights in Texas, students attended two NBA games: the Dallas Mavericks versus the Miami Heat, followed by the Houston Rockets versus the Phoenix Suns. Before the Mavericks game, the group were treated to a pre-game warm-up viewing and an exclusive three-hour training session with the Dallas Mavericks Youth Coaches. The session included warm-ups, drills, competitions, and team-specific skill work. One student shared that after breakfast at 8am, the group travelled to the Mavericks Training Centre before later heading to the game and watching from the warm-ups through to the final buzzer. Another student described a packed but exciting day, with the girls playing two matches in the morning before the group moved between games, warm-ups, and cheering on teammates, followed by attending the Houston vs Phoenix NBA game. The atmosphere, lights, energy, and the Rockets’ win made it an unforgettable experience despite the exhaustion of a full day.
The tour has also provided valuable exposure to Division 1 College Basketball and the academic environments that surround elite university athletes. Students have attended men’s and women’s college games, met players, and toured the University of Texas Hall of Fame Museum. These experiences will continue with another university game in Houston and three additional campus tours in both Houston and Los Angeles. Students described the college visits as inspiring and eye-opening. One reflected on enjoying a rare sleep-in before travelling to Austin for the Texas Longhorns women’s game against Pennsylvania, meeting players, and enjoying a group dinner. Another described visiting the San Marcos Premium Outlets, noting the size of the centre, before touring a room dedicated to the University of Texas’ sporting accolades and watching the Longhorns men claim victory over Southern Jaguars.
Across tournaments, training sessions, college tours, and NBA arenas, this historic first USA Basketball Tour has already become a defining experience for our Basketball Academy students. It has strengthened team bonds, expanded horizons, and given students memories, learning, and inspiration they will carry long after they return home. We look forward to sharing more highlights as the tour continues across the United States.
