COAST CITIES — The summer is in full swing, but basketball will be taking center stage starting at 8 a.m. the weekend of Aug. 2 as the Encinitas Tide boy’s basketball team hosts its third annual “Tide Invitational” tournament. Premier teams from all over the Western Unites States will converge on Carlsbad High School’s gymnasium for the event.

Featured teams include the Encinitas Tide (2006 National Junior Basketball fifth-grade National Champions), Irvine Stars (2005 National Junior Basketball fourth-grade National Champions), So Cal Motion (2007 Defending Tide Invitational Champion) and the Newport Mesa Lightning (2005 National Junior Basketball fourth-grade National Championship third place),

The Encinitas Tide is comprised of 10 boys who live in Carlsbad, Encinitas and Del Mar/Carmel Valley. The team has played together for four years and participates in several local youth basketball leagues including the National Junior Basketball All Net league. The team also participates in Western United States AAU tournament play. Team members include Taylor Bloomquist, Drew DeFrancesco, Justin Fiddes, Will Finnerty, Dean Karam, Jake Mann, Tommy McCarthy, Cole Needham, Emerson Waumans, and Luke Wilkens. The coaches are Dirk Needham and Gregg Fiddes.

In addition, top club teams from Arizona, Nevada, San Diego, Manhattan Beach, and Orange County are expected to compete. Another notable team receiving an invitation is Kenny Smith’s Aim High.

“We are looking forward to a great tournament featuring well-coached teams, good sportsmanship, and highly competitive play,” Mark Waumans, the invitational’s tournament director, said. “We hope the community takes advantage of this opportunity to come out and watch some highly competitive youth basketball.”

“We really enjoy playing against premier teams,” Tide coach Dirk Needham said. “Against top teams, we can really improve our game and gain great experience. It is really amazing the quality of basketball that these 12-year-old boys play.”

Winners of opening round pool play will advance to a single elimination bracket to determine the tournament champion on Sunday. Additional information can be obtained by e-mailing mark.waumans@sbcglobal.net.