WORCESTER, Mass. - One of the great local traditions in high school sports kicks off Saturday with a new addition.

For the 83rd time, the Clark University High School Basketball Tournament will showcase some of the top teams in central Massachusetts high school hoops.

After re-introducing a girls tournament last year, the Clark Tournament Committee expanded the girls event to eight teams in both the small and large school divisions. Tournament co-president Ted Gumula said increasing the number of teams to 16 for both the boys and the girls will add to the storied event.

“The expansion to include 16 girls varsity teams allows us to bring the thrill of participating in the Clark to even more coaches and student-athletes,” Gumula said. “I think we have some of the best division two, three, four and five schools in central Mass. in the tournament this year, and I expect a real good tournament.”

On the boys’ side, David Prouty and Shepherd Hill are the defending champions, while Sutton and Grafton will defend their crowns on the girls’ side.

Games tip off Saturday at sites throughout Worcester County. The semifinals begin at Clark University’s Kneller Center on Sunday.