Newcastle will host 32 teams from around NSW and the ACT and expect at least 3000 people through the doors at Broadmeadow for the WABL, State League and Youth League semi-finals today and grand finals tomorrow.

In their first WABL play-off series, the Mustangs play Sydney Comets in a semi-final at 5pm today, having pipped Parramatta 87-86 at Auburn last Saturday.

That result, which McGregor secured with a lay-up and free throw with less than one second left, denied Newcastle a home semi-final, because Sydney beat the Hunters 88-75 on the same night.

If they beat the Comets today, the Mustangs will play the winner of today's 7pm semi-final between Manly and Parramatta in the grand final at 5pm tomorrow.

McGregor said Maitland was in the grip of "Mustang Mania", because the city's Youth League teams had also qualified for the semi-finals.

Maitland's youth men play Ryde Bulls at 9am and the youth women play Central Coast Crusaders at 11.30am.

"The whole town's buzzing," McGregor said.

"We had a lot of support against Parramatta down there last weekend and I'm sure we'll have even more this weekend at Newcastle.

"We'd love everyone to come and support Maitland. It's always been a Sydney team that's won it, so it's time for a Hunter team to win.

"We're representing Maitland first but we're also representing the Hunter now, so we want everyone to jump on board the Mustangs bandwagon and cheer us home."

Newcastle Basketball general manager Ivan Spyrdz offered the Mustangs the chance to train on the main court at Broadmeadow on Wednesday but McGregor said work commitments for most of the team made that impossible.

"Given the rivalry between Maitland and Newcastle, Ivan didn't have to do that but that meant a lot to us and we're really grateful, even though we couldn't take up their offer," he said.

McGregor and former Newcastle Falcons NBL teammate Butch Hays are Maitland's most experienced players but McGregor said Dan Proctor and Ken Artist had played in past Waratah finals representing other teams "and most of the other guys have played in big games in juniors".

Newcastle will be represented by the Youth League men, who play Parramatta at 9.30am today.

Games begin at 9am today and tomorrow with the WABL women's (3pm) and men's (5pm) deciders tomorrow.