Photo/File
At this time next week, it will be two exhausted but relieved organisers of Wanganui's HoopNation who will bring the ball on to centre court for the tip-off.
Having dug even deeper into their pockets for this role they do part-time to continue growing the annual basketball tournament, which this year includes more teams, support events and the prize of a trip to Kuala Lumpur for a invitational team, Paul Berridge and KJ Allen have labelled the 2014 edition an "investment year".
That means it is likely to run at a financial loss, but the groundwork to expand their tournament with more official national teams and Asian connections should mean their ambition to be more expansive will make the popular event more profitable in coming years.
It means Saturday morning will be a big release of tension for the two mates.
"We have a little tradition - Paul and I throw the first ball up," said Allen.
"We are a little bit burnt, exhausted, but the adrenaline in the stadium carries us through.
"That keeps us driving."
Berridge added: "That's the little touch, the cutting of the ribbon, so to speak.
"As soon as that ball goes up, it's a sense of relief and a sense of pride."
Most of the 330 players in 35 teams will arrive on Friday, the biggest groups coming from Auckland and Wellington, with registration moved from Stella Restaurant & Bar to Springvale Stadium to cope with demand.
Taranaki also has a big contingent, especially in the Women's A division, among them current Tall Fern Zoe Kensington.
The Junior Tall Blacks squad under coach Judd Flavell will arrive earlier to start their preparations, while two noteworthy international names will be touching down on Wednesday and Friday nights.
From Kuala Lumpur, Yoong Jack (the English spelling of his name) will play the tournament, as will Jun Iwasa, the point guard for the Japanese national team.
Berridge and Allen hope their dealings with Iwasa will lead to a competitive Tokyo squad playing in next year's tournament.
Tall Blacks Lindsay Tait, Jarrod Kenny and Casey Frank are also expected on Friday, as is Sid Adams, the elder brother of Kiwi NBA star Steven.
One of the most interesting early match-ups will be Flavell's NZ Juniors against NZ Maori Kauri, last year's runners-up in the Pakaitore-Whanganui Men's Premier grade, coached by the irrepressible Jeff Green, who was the bane of the umpires' existence in 2013.
Maori TV will also have a crew on site to film the event, planning two-minute segments on their sports news every evening during the Labour Weekend event.
Given money is tight this year, Berridge and Allen will decide on Monday what the prize money will be for this tournament and whether it reaches the $3000 awarded to the Premier winner and $2500 for the Men's A champions.
They have had 28 Premier players register for the chance to be selected for the 10-man tournament team to fly to Kuala Lumpur for the Melaka International Basketball Championships in mid-November.
They also have the ambition to work with sponsors Footlocker to host shooting and dunking competitions in eight Australian and New Zealand cities in three months next year with the winners coming to HoopNation for the finals.
Berridge said they would set up "Wanganui Expo" stands at those venues to promote the city as well as their event.
So, the money going out does not yet match the money coming in, but Berridge and Allen have insisted the positive spin-offs for Wanganui in terms of accommodation, tournament support events and after-parties continue to make HoopNation viable.
Another added attraction next weekend is The Art of Flight - Air Jordan Sneaker exhibition, being held at the Sarjeant On the Quay gallery upstairs at the iSite Building.
In a first for Australasia, the exhibition will display a pair of every one of the 29 Air Jordan sneakers created since 1985, known as the most successful sportsman-branded apparel of all time. The sales of Michael Jordan's style of shoes have helped make him a virtual billionaire.
The exhibition has been curated by Daniel Tupara and will be hosted by Mai FM's DJ Sirvere, who will also be performing in the space at 11am-1pm and 3pm on the Saturday and Sunday.