High school basketball talent from across the nation will travel to Wicomico County this week for the Governors Challenge basketball tournament.

Now in its 39^th year, the Governors Challenge is the largest holiday basketball tournament in the country. Nearly 130 teams will compete in this year’s event from 13 states, plus Puerto Rico and Canada.

This year’s format will include a DMVelite Showcase division featuring 25 top boys’ teams, as well as a girls’ showcase division, a varsity boys’ division and a varsity girls’ division.

Games will take place Dec. 26-31 at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, James M. Bennett High School and Wicomico High School.

Aside from regular game play, athletes can also compete in different challenges at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center as part of the Governors Challenge.

On Friday, Dec. 27 the three-point contest and skills challenge will be held at 8:30 p.m., followed by the dunk contest at 9:30 p.m.

The girls’ all-star challenges will be held on Monday, Dec. 30. The three-point contest will begin at 8:30 p.m., followed by the skills challenge at 9:30 p.m.

Attendees can check out the free Fan Zone in the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center’s Midway Room from 2-7 p.m. daily for interactive basketball games and challenges, video games, photo ops, apparel, vendors and more.

Daily admission is $12, and tournament passes (valid for all days of the tournament) are available for $40. Daily admission for kids ages 3-11 is $6. Kids ages 2 and under are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at GovChallenge.org.