It's that time of year again... as the high school basketball scene is already underway. Plenty of potential to be shown out of the San Pedro, Port Of Los Angeles and Mary Star Of The Sea High boys and girls programs as they are in full swing for the 2015-2016 season.

Who will make the biggest shot of them all?

BOYS

SAN PEDRO - It was a really tough go for the Pirates last season, as they went 10-18 overall and only defeating Banning twice in the Marine League with a 2-10 finish. Coach John Bobich enters his 14th season with a more experienced, and determined team.

Guards will likely play the biggest role on San Pedro this season, as all have massive potential.

Senior guard Danny Guerrero can double up as a forward at times, and is a deadly outside shooter. Junior guard Jose Regalado is another dangerous shooter and a scrapper, while junior guard Juan Palma is the best passer on the team. Also keep a close eye on sophomore guard Cole Turner.

The frontcourt features rising 6'6'' sophomore Malik Muhammad, who has increased his height by 2 inches, and his jumping ability to boot... a scary thought for Pirate opponents. Seniors forward Danny Tanielu-Tailulu, a standout defensive end on the football team, and Igor Vaughan also return for the Pirates, who lost All-Marine League second team selection Robert 'R.J.' Ebert right before the season began due to transferring out. 

San Pedro will battle the likes of two-time defending champion Narbonne, Washington Prep and Gardena for the Marine League championship.

MARY STAR - Even though the Stars finished last year at 12-17, they did go 4-6 in the Santa Fe League and was the only team out of the three schools in town to play beyond the regular season, surprising everyone by making it to the quarterfinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division V-A playoffs, bowing to eventual champion St. Bernard.

High-scoring forward Neil Green is gone, but freshman guard Joseph Octave will being some high-octane punch to an experienced Mary Star team that still has 6'6'' senior center Justin Rodriguez and a host of talented juniors in guards Nick Billings, Nathan Linayao and power forward Noah Prince. Rodriguez has already made instant impact in their season opening 84-50 victory over POLA on November 23, throwing down a pair of slam dunks. In that same game, Octave's high school debut was glorious with 24 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 assists.

Linayao was famous for his game-winning three-pointer as time expired in a double overtime victory over Sage Hill two years ago during his freshman season.

Also keep an eye on 6'5'' senior forward Anthony Scheffler, as he as deceptively good shooting from the perimeter, and guard Jason Smith is a spark-plug coming off the bench for the Stars.

POLA - The Polar Bears are four years removed from a Crosstown League championship, and first-year coach Leo Turrat has breathed some new life in to this team who struggled with a 7-18 mark, missing the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division IV playoffs for the second straight season.

Senior guard Isaac Perez will be one to carry the load, but guards Andrew Walker, Tim Oloimooja and Chance Coley are also key for POLA. Center Joseph Magana and senior forward Damian Florez pace the front court players

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GIRLS

SAN PEDRO - Fourth-year coach Cynthia Atencio coached the Lady Pirates to their best overall season ever, going 21-11 overall and 8-4 in the Marine League, placing third, only losing all four games to the two residential powers of Narbonne and Carson, who both are the favorites yet again.

San Pedro last year made it to the CIF Southern California Regionals for the first time since the 1986 team that won the CIF-LACS Division 3A championship, but even that team was one game shy of a 20-win season.

Gone is four-time All-Marine League first team and three-time San Pedro News Pilot MVP Rita Fiorenza, but talent still abounds with this group.

Junior G/F Deanna Valverde is also a returning All-City and All-Marine League standout, and will be joined by two more All-Marine League returning forwards in senior Reyna Canchola, who was the most improved player of all, and senior Melannie Ortiz, a bruiser in the paint who posted a 30-point game in a victory over Washington Prep last season. 

Also making a return for the Pirates includes junior forward Iman Garba, senior guard Crystal Redd and junior point guard Raeven Hayes, but once POLA transfer Kyerstin Galloway, ANOTHER All-City (Division IV) selection is able to play in January, San Pedro will be even more dangerous to contend with. Galloway, a junior, is an excellent passer with an improved shooting stroke that posted five double-doubles in points and assists in Crosstown League play.

MARY STAR - Last year was a breakout year for Victor Tuberosi, as he now enters his third year as the coach for the Stars, who finished 14-9 last season, and 5-5 in the Santa Fe League. Mary Star was able to return to the playoffs for the first time in six years, even making it to the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division V-AA and putting an end to their 39-game losing streak in league play with last year's opening rout of Bell-Jeff of Burbank.

Back for another run to the basket... is junior guard Angela Pisano, who averaged 25 points a game and is a returning All-Santa Fe League selection. Pisano, who shared the News Pilot MVP award with Fiorenza last season, is a defensive wizard who posted three double-doubles in points and steals last season, and has the most unorthodox shot of anyone, a one-handed floater that is truly remarkable to watch, unless you're trying to guard her.

Tuberosi is thrilled to have 95% of his team back from last year, and other key players include the likes of sophomore point guard Hanalei Emnace, an All-Santa Fe League returner and another defensive firecracker, junior forward Amanda Vitalich, who's also a standout softball player, junior forward Kaitlyn Martinez, who along with Pisano helped the girls volleyball team capture a second straight league title, senior forward Adriana Espinoza, and sophomore guard Jillian Duran.

Senior forwards Isabella Samperio and Devan Avalos also provide stellar play in the paint.

POLA - Second-year coach Elspeth Carden has taken over the reigns for the Lady Bears, who made the CIF-LACS Division IV playoffs last season but now has moved up into Division III.

Expect some growing pains early due to the loss of Galloway, but POLA won't be a pushover.

Junior forward Mariam Moreno is the top returning scorer, and senior center Alexis Solis is primed to have a great season as she plans on staying healthy, suffering an injury at the midpoint of Crosstown League play. Joining Moreno and Solis in the starting lineup are senior guard Gaby Paras, senior forward Cassandra Ibarra and sophomore Ardent Almazon.

Sophomore guard Sachi Verner makes her debut after playing on the volleyball team at POLA.

San Pedro will host their eighth annual San Pedro Pirate Shootout boys basketball tournament, with the Pirates and Mary Star both representing. The tournament starts on Saturday, December 26, then continues from the 28th to the 30th to close out 2015. Wednesday, January 7, 2016 will provide the only crosstown matchup in girls basketball when Mary Star hosts POLA.