Victoria's Caulfield Grammar, who thrashed Mountain Creek State High (Queensland) 107-69 in the men's championship final last year, will play perennial West Australian representatives Willetton Senior High at 12.30pm after the opening ceremony.

Albury's Xavier High, the 2008 women's champions and 2007 runners-up, will follow at 2.30pm against Box Hill Senior Secondary College (Victoria).

The top eight men's and women's teams from each state or territory will contest the championship.

The invitational section will comprise six boys' and two girls' divisions in seniors (years 11-12), and five boys' and three girls' divisions in juniors (years 7-10).

Newcastle Basketball general manager Ivan Spyrdz said 130 school teams representing every Australian state and territory would compete on courts at Broadmeadow, Maitland, Gateshead and the University of Newcastle from today until the finals on Friday.

Spyrdz said the tournament would inject $1.4 million into the economy as the region welcomes several thousand players, volunteer officials and their families and friends.

Hunter Sports High will field teams in five divisions and there will be another 20 teams representing 13 other Newcastle and Hunter high schools.

Entry to the event is free.