LEAGUE PLAY is starting for area high school basketball teams (Shutterstock).

The long tournament and non-league part of the high school basketball season is over, and most West Orange County teams will open league play this week.

Starting on Wednesday will be the Garden Grove, Surf and and San Joaquin leagues for boys. Beginning on Thursday will be the Orange League, and Friday will be the tipoff day for the Golden West League.

Late starting will be the Empire League, beginning play on Jan. 13.

However, the Orange Coast League is already well underway, with each team having played three or four conference games so far.

The situation with girls’ teams is a little different. While most will play on the same day as the boys, some are on another schedule. For example, the Orangewood Academy’s girls won’t start San Joaquin action until Tuesday, Jan. 10.

So far, the leading teams appear to continue to be from OA. The girls are 11-3 and the boys are 15-3. The latter team won the Anaheim Colony Classic on Friday, defeating Northwood High of Irvine 83-42.

Game times vary. While most are scheduled to start at 7 p.m., some will begin at 6 or even 4:30 p.m. Check with the school if you’re planning on attending.