Pace and crowd to raise Suns McIlroy

After much anticipation, the Northland Suns will finally host a home game on Sunday when they play North Harbour Heat in the inaugural Northern Cup at Kensington Stadium.

It has been a year of disruption for the Suns, whose Super City Basketball Competition campaign started later than the July tip off they had planned for. Ross Cronshaw also left as coach midway through their season, and Tania Sateine took over the role.

Their campaign in the Super City Basketball Competition has not been as successful as the team had hoped despite a talented line up, and the Suns will play off for fifth or sixth spot against Auckland at the Breakers Stadium on Saturday, getting this weekend's double header underway.

While Saturday's result is important, putting on a entertaining performance for the new annual fixture against North Harbour is paramount this weekend, Suns development officer and player Travis McIlroy said.

The side has not always fired this season and the team are chasing a 40-minute performance in front of their home crowd.

"I honestly think playing at home for the first time this season will lift our side," McIlroy said.

To combat the strong and competitive North Harbour side, McIlroy said the Suns would need to play their fast-paced style of basketball, limit their turnovers and simply, play hard.

"For some of the games this season, some of the guys have shown up physically but not mentally ... The team bond seems to break in the third quarter but if we can stay disciplined for 40 minutes we have a good chance of beating any team," he said.

Like the Suns, Harbour Heat struggled in the Super City Competition, winning only their first game - which was against the Suns, also despite having several National Basketball League players and two Australian NBL players.

"That just shows how strong the competition is. This weekend, North Harbour are supposed to be bringing a line up that is potentially their NBL team, so they will be even stronger," McIlroy said.

The Suns will be without skipper Aaron Saddler, along with coach Sateine on Sunday, but Mata Cameron, who helped coach the Suns last season, volunteered to step into the coaching role for the home game.

Tip off is at 3pm at Kensington Stadium. Entry is $2 for adults, children 13 and under are free.

Northland Suns Squad: Travis McIlroy, Niasi Malua, Keeghan Saddler, Warrick Siddall, Carmen Hetaraka, Casey Namana, Justin Friedrich, Tolu Hetaraka, Harlyn Clunie, Kaea Samson.