THE Hamilton Junior Basketball Tournament kicks off today with 77 teams coming from all around including Warrnambool, Horsham, Portland, Port Fairy, Koroit, Maryborough, Casterton and Terang to clash against each other on the court.

After missing the 2020 tournament due to COVID, HBA president, Barry Hawker said it was shaping up to be the biggest tournament in half a decade.

“I think it’s a culmination of things (contributing to the huge turnout), changing our date to a later date to give more teams an opportunity to select their teams and come to the Hamilton tournament was one and with lots of other tournaments cancelled, this is really the first one back,” he said.

“It will be a big flow on for Hamilton, the spectators, kids, supporters, whether they are staying for accommodation or going out and grabbing a coffee, it will be really good.”

He credited the tournament committee for the great work they had done in planning the event under difficult circumstances.

There will be games played today and tomorrow at Hamilton Indoor Leisure and Aquatic Centre (HILAC), The Hamilton and Alexandra College (THAC) and Monivae College stadiums.

The Hamilton Hurricanes have a strong representation at the tournament with 11 teams of all ages and skill levels entered to compete.

There will be COVID marshals at all venues checking proof of vaccination before entry and making sure people check in correctly.

There are no longer restrictions for spectators, so expect to see the stadiums buzzing with people both local and from afar.

Hurricanes teams are entered in the Under-12 Girls (A), Under-12 Girls (B), Under-12 Boys (A), Under-12 Boys (B), Under-14 Girls, Under-14 Boys (A), Under-14 Boys (B), Under-16 Girls, Under-16 Boys (A), Under-16 Boys (B) and Under-18 Boys (A).