With a July 27 deadline looming for teams to register for the second annual EmD3on3 basketball tournament Aug. 9-10 at Emerald Downs, time is running short for competitors.

According to event coordinator Bob Fraser, this summer’s event is shaping up to be even bigger than last year, which was the biggest 3-on-3 tourney in Western Washington.

“We had 261 teams on 29 courts last year,” Fraser said. “About 400 teams would make me happy this year, but I’d love to double it. I’ve got 29 courts right now, but I could get up to 50 if I need to.”

Last year’s event raised money for the Auburn Valley YMCA, with sponsor Mark Doxon of Doxon Toyota making a “sizable” contribution on behalf of the tourney. This year’s event again benefits the Y.

Many of last year’s major sponsors return, including Regence Health Care, the City of Auburn, Budweiser distributors, KJR 950 AM Sports Radio and several local hotels, among others.

“Support has been really, really strong,” Fraser said. “Everybody is getting on board with this. We’ve got more than 50 local sponsors.”

Among the key supporters this year is Renton-based Baden Sports, Inc., which is  supplying the official tournament basketballs.

The event again features several brackets, broken down by age, playing ability and gender.

“This year we’ll also have a coed division for adults,” Fraser said. “Last year there was a demand for it.”

Last year’s inaugural event kicked off with the Auburn Rotary Club’s pancake breakfasts, featured on both days of the event.

This year, Fraser said, the Kiwanis Club of Auburn gets in on the act with a barbecue cookout on both days of the event.

The 3-point shootout also returns, along with KJR’s live remote broadcast on Aug. 9.

Registration for the event is $150 for a team of five, and can only be done online at www.emd3on3.com.

The event is free to spectators.