The ball has changed, officials are actually calling hand checks and, at least on the girls side, scoring in OIA basketball is on the rise.

Is OIA boys basketball going back to the past? Are fans going to see skill and speed at an accelerated rate? The girls regular season has already featured a 94-90 overtime game between Kailua and Kaiser.

The Baden Elite basketball — which replaces the Spalding TF-1000 for OIA play — provides a major difference in feel. The reddish TF-1000 "advanced moisture resistance" had a grainy, spongy feel that was very practical for humid conditions.

"I like that ball better," Farrington’s high-scoring Jacob McEnroe said.

But for normal conditions, players say they prefer the Baden, which has a firmer feel and wider channels.

There already has been a 90-83 overtime game between boys state title contenders Maryknoll and Farrington. That happened at the ILH-OIA Challenge, where Baden balls were in play. McEnroe scored 23 points, one of his best totals in preseason, during that contest.

For comparison, teams at the ILH-OIA Challenge averaged 59.2 points per game using the Baden Elite. At the St. Francis Merv Lopes Hoops Classic, the TF-1000 was used in 22 of 32 contests and teams averaged 54.4 points per game in those games.

Scoring, particularly from the free-throw line, is designed to go up this season, thanks to the national federation’s point of emphasis on enforcing the rule of "illegal contact" — better known as hand-checking.

It will be possible this winter to see two teams run the floor and shoot as well as they did in a memorable 102-94 shootout between Kalaheo and Farrington nearly three decades ago. The talent level is there; Farrington has been the highest-ranked OIA team in the Star-Advertiser Top 10.

"The OIA East is a beast this year. but Kalaheo, Kahuku, Moanalua and McKinley have had really good preseasons," Roosevelt coach Steve Hathaway said. "I expect us to fight for one of those berths to state. It’s going to be a test every single game."

In Division II (White Conference), Kaiser has the size and athleticism to become dominant.

With the regular season beginning tonight, here’s a look at the league, listed alphabetically.

RED EAST

Farrington (11-3 nonconference)

Any opponent willing to run with the deep, aggressive Governors — one would be Kalani — will have to deal with a swarming fullcourt press and a surplus of 3-point shooters.

The No. 4-ranked Governors like to use McEnroe, a 6-2 southpaw, on the low post, where he can maneuver through traffic for high-percentage shots. He is also crafty on the weakside glass, feasting on offensive rebounds and putbacks.

Big Mason Semisi (6-5, 290) and springy Manly Williams (6-3, 189) give the Govs depth in the front court. Semisi takes up space and uses his shooting ability to punish defenses that leave gaps in their zones. Williams is a human pogo stick who brings energy and athleticism off the bench.

Longtime coach Allan Silva wants pace and pressure out of his team. When all is flowing, Farrington is tough to keep up with. Isaiah Smith (26 points against Maryknoll) and Isaiah Visoria are slashing guards with 3-point range. Van Hugo provides quick-release 3-point shooting and savvy play around the basket.

Tua Unutoa is another key sharpshooter who can stretch defenses, and the Govs’ fullcourt press gets a boost from ultra-quick Mark Duldulao off the bench.

Kahuku (7-4)

The young Red Raiders have come a long way since Week 1, when they lost their first three games by an average of 14 points. Coach Darren Johnson already had a returning big man in 6-3 sophomore Hirkley Latu, but incoming freshmen Samuta Avea and Keanu Akina have proven they are ready.

Avea, a 6-3 guard, and Akina, a deadly sharpshooter, could team with Latu to form the league’s most formidable young core. Johnson’s squads love to run and press, and with a group of athletic contributors that includes point guard Chance Maghanoy, guard Wilton Cravens and forward Soli Afalava, Kahuku beat then-No. 6 Saint Louis and Kamehameha-Hawaii to finish the Merv Lopes Classic.

Kailua (4-10)

The win-loss mark doesn’t tell it all for coach Walter Marciel’s tough-nosed team. The Surfriders are in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, but four were by six points or less.

Early on, Kailua outlasted defending Division II state champion St. Francis 47-42 in overtime. Then the Surfriders fared quite well at Baldwin’s tourney in mid-December, beating University and Kamehameha-Maui, and they led ‘Iolani late before losing 65-53.

A tough slate of competition in the ‘Iolani Classic and Merv Lopes Classic has tested their mettle. Guards William Kailimai and Christian Kamu Scheer have been among the sparkplugs. There are some young players to build on with sophomores Scheer, 6-3 Noah Auld and 6-3 Kawehe Hano Kohatsu.

Kohatsu scored a career-high 25 points in a loss to Radford.

Kalaheo (14-5)

With a young roster, the defending D-I state champions could have pared the schedule and spent more time on the practice floor, but coach Alika Smith’s Mustangs were busy, busy, busy. The reward for a young roster was a slew of early wins.

Facing a mix of D-II and D-I teams, Kalaheo won its first 11 games. Since then, five of eight opponents have been Top-10 teams, not including Walnut Grove (Ore.). With a thin bench, the Mustangs seemed to tire late in the Merv Lopes tourney. A brief New Year’s respite should help Kalaheo, which is ranked No. 9.

At 6-4, Kupa’a Harrison is their Swiss Army knife. Smith gets rebounding, shot blocking, interior defense and points in the paint from the slender junior. Guards Zach Marrotte, Alec MacLeod and Dario Delcastillo have matured, and with the return of point guard Kekai Smith from a family vacation, they’re solid in the backcourt.

L.J. Barnes is an X factor, a 6-2 post who can hit the 3.

McKinley (8-2)

The Tigers sent a buzz through the hoops community with a stunning 49-48 win over Maryknoll on Dec. 5. Though the Spartans were depleted that night, it was still a major step forward for coach Duane Omori Jr.’s program. The Tigers are ranked No. 10.

That momentum was stifled some a night later by a 71-64 loss to Saint Louis, but the sneaky-quick Tigers have shown a consistency of defensive willpower. They limited a tall Kapolei squad to 37 points and did not permit more than 52 points for six games in a row.

With 6-foot sophomore Dan Villejo, speedy Macjun Otarra and Dayton Lee providing firepower, the Tigers are a dark-horse contender to win the title. Erolino Javier, Kaimi Kini, Jeff Fronda, Brennan Waters (6-2) and Nelson Pita (6-2) are each capable of key contributions.

Moanalua (6-5)

Life after Greg Tacon has been good for Na Menehune. With Tacon moving over to Kamehameha, Byron Mello was promoted to head coach, using much of the same system that Tacon installed.

With the exception of a lopsided loss to powerful Hamilton (Wis.), Mello’s squad has been highly competitive, even through a tough stretch of losses to Maryknoll, Punahou and Tacon’s Kamehameha squad (twice).

Guards Jamaal Willis, Antoine Hines and 6-2 Aaron Stuart have provided scoring punch.

Roosevelt (2-7)

Coach Steve Hathaway’s team has lots of speed and not much height, which means he wants the Rough Riders to run. They have three returning starters and two potential impact players in Brent Quackenbush and Punahou transfer Kevin Foster.

Point guard Jake Kawasaki is a year older and wiser, and he’s possibly faster than he was as a sophomore starter. With Kawasaki pushing the ball, the Rough Riders will have Mick Colling and Valen Inaura among his running mates. Chaston Marcos, Justin Furtado and 6-2 sophomore Josh Alexander could emerge as key contributors.

RED WEST

Campbell (6-8)

Campbell has pared its fullcourt pressure, but is still lightning quick in transition offense. Coach Wyatt Tau’s team had a tough preseason slate, traveling to play in the Pete Smith Classic, Walter Wong tournament and Merv Lopes Classic.

Isaac Hurd, the Sabers’ standout quarterback in football, has been tough on the hardwood as well. The senior averaged more than 16 points per game in the Lopes tourney.

Guard Michael Merchant and post Lamart Dudley help with the scoring load.

Kapolei (0-7)

It’s been a rough start for the Hurricanes, who had lost immense talent to graduation in the past two years. The opportunity is there, though, for a young backcourt and one of the biggest frontcourts in the state.

Coach Gary Ellison has six players at 6-3 or taller. Among them is heralded football recruit Micah Kapoi (6-5, 290), a strong defender and gifted passer.

Leilehua (7-6)

The Mules were resilient through a solid preseason schedule, posting wins over University, St. Francis and Kailua. Coach Patrick Wetzel is counting on a balanced attack. Sophomore Joseph Gouty, Pomai Cozo, 6-1 Bryan Mason, Anterio Gainwell, 6-5 sophomore Koa Kauhi, Torenzo Vereen, Kainoa Aleviado and Dyllan Amond have taken turns as leading scorers.

Vereen and Cozo are returning starters.

Mililani (4-7)

The Trojans have a history of running and gunning under coach Edward Gonzales and, despite their preseason record, they continue to push the tempo. Elijah Gambol, Elijah Butler, Noel Bueno, Cody Sison and Ian Namu can be solid double-digit scorers.

Pearl City (2-6)

The Chargers are, well, recharging, since the graduation of some key seniors. There’s plenty left for coach Lionel Villarmia, however. As they find some consistency, Villarmia’s methodical pace will give Pearl City a contrarian’s advantage in the wide-open West. Eric Dela Pena and Tylor Canon have emerged as reliable scorers.

Radford (4-7)

The Rams finished the pre-league menu with wins over Kailua and Hawaii Baptist. Jordan Riley and Malcolm Hill return to give coach Nelson Lau a steady backcourt. The arrival of guard Derrick McLamore, transfer Tobias Powell (Maryknoll) and 6-3 Absolom Henry give Radford a solid nucleus.

Returnees Jordin Pacheco, Mark Reven Villejo, Trevon Hinkle and Kendall Bryant round out a solid rotation.

Waianae (1-5)

The struggle of preseason was eased with a strong performance against Kaiser in a 61-56 loss. Bronson Brown-Kaopua, a 6-3 center, is a key to the Seariders’ hopes — and he’s a good foul shooter to boot (8-for-10 against Kaiser). The senior scored 20 points against Lahainaluna and 14 against Kaiser.

Austin Thomas, Sage Cruz and Iokepa Ili have also showed scoring potential.

WHITE EAST

Anuenue (0-4)

Their record doesn’t show it, but on the court, Na Koa are vastly improved. After averaging 19 points per game last season, they’ve scored 52 (Christian Academy) and 55 (Nanakuli) in their last two games.

Sophomore guard Ikaika Benjamin, and seniors Pono Kahili and Kamalu Kamauoha have been productive offensively. Junior guard Kimo Romena, son of coach Will Romena, scored 23 points in the loss to Christian Academy.

Castle (2-3)

The Knights opened nonconference play with three losses (Kalaheo, St. Francis, Kamehameha II), but bounced back with wins over Hawaii Baptist and Waipahu. K.J. Ing scored 22 points, including four treys, in the 60-50 victory at Waipahu.

Kaimuki (2-7)

The Bulldogs have played close in several games despite a lack of height. Sophomore guard Christian Ono and twins Jerry and J.R. Betiru are potential impact players.

Kaiser (6-5)

The Cougars have a renewed energy under first-year coach Branden Kawazoe. They worked out three times a week at 5:30 a.m. in the offseason. Chance Kalaugher, a 6-5 sophomore, continues to improve after showing great potential as a freshman.

The Cougars are using a deep bench — 11 players were part of the school’s D-II state football championships squad. Their most impressive effort might have been in defeat, a 60-54 loss to Maryknoll in Kaiser’s tournament last week. Kalaugher scored 18 points and Tarius Hill had 11.

Kalani (4-8)

The Falcons are running the floor and launching 3-point bombs with regularity. Coach Nathan Davis’ team just returned from a trip to the Dick’s Sporting Goods Orange Holiday Classic in California, where they went 1-3. Cory Mitchell was named to the all-tourney team.

Alex Tungpalan is one of the top long-range shooters in the league, while versatile, explosive Brandon Roberts (6-0) is a matchup problem for most centers. Jarin Yamauchi is another capable scorer and lanky sophomore Ace Faumui (6-2) is a valued asset.

The Falcons have played a D-I preseason schedule with one exception: an 82-53 win over HBA.

WHITE WEST

Aiea (3-2)

Coach Justin Miura has nine returnees, including starters Bryson Naito and point guard Kimo Souza. Naito is listed as a forward, but is versatile enough to score from the perimeter and the post. Amara Toure, a 5-11 senior, is a key reserve.

Nanakuli (1-2)

The Golden Hawks have just two seniors on the roster, but have enough offensive balance to make a run for the playoffs. Iverson Sione, Kahio Kanehailua, Naliko Kea and John Lincoln — all underclassmen — are potential double-digit scorers on a regular basis.

Waialua (4-4)

The Bulldogs are a mystery team. Though they were 2-8 in league play last year, among their losses was a 77-76 shootout against Mililani. Xavier Repollo, a 5-6 senior, scored 20 points in that loss to the Trojans.

Waipahu (2-6)

The Marauders have a potential go-to scorer in senior guard Keanu Deboma, who scored 16 points in a loss to Castle. Senior swingman Brendan Mendoza-Bulong averaged nearly 10 points per game in nonconference play and is one of the top free-throw shooters in the OIA (79 percent).