LEAGUE PLAY approaching the key games for high school boys’ basketball (Shutterstock).

Local high school basketball league races are reaching the point where teams vying for titles and playoff spots need to move into their highest gears.

Here’s a look at how area boys league situations are shaping up. We will look at girls’ races on Saturday.

Orange League: Bolsa Grande and Loara began the week with each having 3-0 league records, They will meet on Tuesday in a battle for first place in the Matador gym.

Sunset League: Edison is third (4-2) in the seven team league, with Marina (2-4) in fourth and Huntington Beach (1-5) tied for sixth.The Chargers will need wins over Marina and Huntington this week to stay in contention for post-season.

Golden West League: Garden Grove (2-2) is third behind Laguna Hills (4-0) and Godinez Fundamental (3-1). The Argonauts could move up with upset wins on Thursday against Godinez and LHHS. It’s possible as the Argonauts’ earlier losses to those teams were by margins of four and five, the latter in overtime.

Coast League: La Quinta (3-1 in league) holds a narrow lead over Rancho Alamitos and Estancia (each 2-1). The Aztecs have make-or-break games coming up on Friday (against Estancia) and next Monday against Rancho Alamitos. One edge for the blue-and-gold: they’re both home games.

North Hills League: Esperanza (3-1 in league and 20-3 overall) is locked in a tie with Brea Olinda (3-1, 11-12) and Troy (3-1, 12-11) for first. Pacifica (0-4 and 14-10) is pretty much out of the race barring a late-season reversal.

Grove League: Western (3-1) is on top at 3-1 in league, although 7-14 overall.

Orange Coast League: Ocean View (3-1 in league, 8-16 overall) is locked in battle for first with Segerstrom (3-1, 13-9). The Seahawks host Westminster (0-4, 0-17) this week and face off against Segerstrom on Jan. 29 at home in the next-to-last league game of the season.