SANTIAGO vs. Garden Grove in a non-league girls’ basketball game (GGUSD photo).

Now that the tree has come down, the decorations put away and the last of the home-made cookies consumed, it’s time for fans, players, coaches, etc. of high school basketball to step onto the hardwood and begin league play.

Most local leagues will be starting on Wednesday, although some won’t tip off until  Friday or Monday. Boys and girls games will typically – but not always – be played back to back. Where there are two gyms available, they may be played at the same time.

With pre-league and tournament games now in the book, two teams with imposing records are from Pacifica High of Garden Grove, which compete in the Empire League.

The Mariner girls are 15-1 and the boys are 13-5.

In the Wave League, the Huntington Beach Oiler girls’ team is 11-6 and the boys are 14-4. The Marina boys are 13-4 and the girls are 12-6.

Edison boys (16-2) are looking pretty strong in the Surf League and EHS girls are 3-15. Both will open Thursday hosting Newport Harbor.

Orangewood Academy girls are 10-4 and the boys are 6-9. Play in the San Joaquin League won’t start until next week.

Here’s the schedule – as always, subject to change – for league contests involving our locals on Wednesday. Team records are as of Monday. Most games are scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start.

Empire League boys: Pacifica at Valencia (Friday).

Empire League girls: Valencia at Pacifica (Friday)

Golden West League boys: Garden Grove at Westminster; Katella at Ocean View.

Golden West League girls: Garden Grove vs. Westminster.

Orange Coast League boys: Santa Ana at Orange.

Orange Coast League girls: Orange at Santa Ana (Tuesday).

Wave League boys: Huntington Beach at Fountain Valley; Corona del Mar at Edison.