Makayla Daysh and Tayla Kendrick reckon the competition for Tauranga's three basketball teams will be tough against 48 visiting squads in town for HoopNation this weekend.

But the two young ladies of their Tauranga team, the Phoenix, are more than ready to tip off their talents and win the elite women's division of HoopNation, secure the $2500 prize money and the coveted title.

HoopNation brings the best of New Zealand's basketballers – including Tall Blacks, Tall Ferns, the full Junior Tall Blacks and Junior Tall Fern squads and ex- Breakers – to ASB Arena for three days of competition which got underway on Saturday.

Fifty-one teams have signed up for the men's elite, women's elite, men's A league, social men's and women's divisions and Under-17 boys' and girls' divisions.

Makayla, 21, who started playing basketball at age 10 and is flipping up career goals between being on-court and charging ahead in rugby sevens – is fired up for the tournament.

'The team we're playing with at HoopNation all played a tournament together in 2011 – and we haven't actually played together since.

But she's confident. 'We won a 2010 tournament in Gisborne,” says the power-forward /centre, who also coaches a Tauranga intermediate girls' team.

But Makayla and fellow teammate Tayla Kendrick expect tough competition.

We're playing a few Women's Basketball Championship teams so it will be really tough,” says Tayla, who plays small-forward. 'There will be some really good talent to watch.”

Makayla made the Junior Tall Ferns at 16, then the NZ Under-20s. Now she's aiming for the Tall Ferns.

'I'll probably try out next year, and Tall Ferns coach Kennedy Kereama will be watching HoopNation,” says Makayla, who sees it as a chance to get exposure. 'I'm looking forward to it.”

So is Tayla, 28, who has made a comeback after the birth of her daughter, now aged two.

'I've just finished playing WBC for Tauranga City Coasters. And I think HoopNation will be a good opportunity for those in Tauranga who are playing basketball,” says Tayla.

The Auckland Splitters (Orange) taking on the Whanganui Agronauts during day one of the HoopNation competition. Photo: Chris Callinan

Paul Berridge & KJ Allen of Akiwa Events have brought HoopNation to the Bay from its previous base in Whanganui after five very successful years because of the event's continual growth.

'The support of the council, who are future-focused, the world class ASB Baypark Arena, and the huge infrastructure of the city is a game changer for the next phase of the event's growth,” says KJ.

'The region and what it has to offer in terms of recreation activities for the players outside of the tournament has been key too,” says Paul.

'With a growing international influence we're not only showcasing the event through livestreaming but the city and region to international markets of this beautiful area as well,” says Paul, who is a new Bay resident.

He says 51 teams – including three Bay squads - have signed up for the three-day event, which kicked off on Saturday.

'As well as top national athletes playing, we've also got players coming from Australian, Japan and Nigeria just to play and experience NZ, and for some this is their third trip,” says KJ.

And for the players there's $8000 in prize money to be distributed through the elite an A league divisions.

'With the exceptional calibre of talent assembled including some of the Breakers development players the weekend will be guaranteed to be exciting.”

But Paul says it's also about bringing the role models of the sport to town to show youngsters what's possible in a basketball career.

'The big finals day on Labour Monday will take place in ASB Arena, with a court surrounded by tiered seating.”

And the finals will be livestreaming online. See HoopNation's Facebook page for details.