It’s ladies first across the state, particularly when it comes to prep basketball.

The OIA tipped off its girls regular season in early December. Tonight, the ILH wahine do the same. The boys? They begin their seasons roughly one month behind the girls, a move that helps give both sides more practice time in the gym.

But here’s the gist of ILH hoops, both girls and boys: it’s going to be another grind. The Kamehameha Warriors bring back key starters in point guard Tiare Kanoa and forward Alohi Robins-Hardy, both All-State selections by coaches and media. The Warriors are No. 1 in the first Star-Advertiser Top 10 released Tuesday. But for the rest of the D-I competition, there are a lot of new faces.

A lot of question marks and a resounding exclamation point, the latter being that uptempo team atop Kapalama Heights.

Coach Darold Imanaka’s squad built on a strong 2011-12 season by taking the state crown last February. The Warriors could run and gun with the best of them, thanks in large part to Kanoa, who has acute passing skills plus a smooth pull-up jumper.

With Kanoa back for her senior year, the 6-foot-2 Robins-Hardy filling the lanes and crashing the boards, and sharpshooter Breann Nueku spotting up, they have more than enough ammunition in transition. Kamehameha is 6-1 in preseason, the lone loss coming against national powerhouse Riverdale (Tenn.).

The graduation of even-keeled Lilia Maio, however, is a big factor. The All-State post was able to run the floor or start the fast break as well as most bigs, and she could finish in the paint decisively. But her departure to Chaminade University, opens the door for other bigs.

Shantel "Makana" Aleki (5-9), Nicole Kaaihue (6-1) and Shelbey Cadinha-Oku (5-9) fortify the front line. Aleki has been most effective in nonconference play. She provides power in the paint and can stretch taller defenders by hitting the open 3.

Watching Imanaka’s philosophy take hold over the years has been instructive and entertaining. Back in his years at Kalani, the Falcons ran and ran, shooting 3s without hesitation. With a bigger lineup at Kamehameha, his team still runs hard, looking for quick passes first.

But when the open 3 isn’t there, Kanoa has the green light — and the determination — to beat her defender to the bucket.

The Warriors can always unleash their fullcourt press on foes. That presents a major problem for inexperienced teams.

The one team that has depth and experience plus talent is Maryknoll, ranked No. 3 in the Top 10. Coach Chico Furtado’s squad was unbeaten before losing to eventual ‘Iolani Classic champion Long Beach Poly (Calif.). At 9-1, the Spartans returned practically their entire roster from last season.

After building up steadily in D-II under then-coach Steve Caley with year-round workouts and 6 a.m. training, the Spartans have flourished in the move to D-I with the veteran coach, Furtado. They reached the ILH semifinals and lost to Kamehameha 56-48 last season.

Now, they have a lineup that has perhaps more depth than any other in the state. Maegan Martin (5-10) and Maia Laboy (5-9) can play big in the post or create scoring opportunities from the wing. Sophomore Lexi Delovio (5-7) provides scoring punch — she had 10 points in a win over state title contender Hilo.

The glue, though, is point guard Cianna Ochoco, a 5-7 senior. As a third-year starter. Ochoco’s strength and toughness are invaluable. Even in their loss to Long Beach Poly, she protected the ball against tall, long defenders. Unlike her contemporary at Kamehameha, Kanoa, Ochoco rarely looks to shoot despite an accurate mid-range J.

Seventh-ranked Punahou has talent, no question, with Tyra Moe in the low post. Moe, at 6 feet or so, may be the most reliable scoring option in the paint throughout the islands. In a win over speedy Roosevelt a month ago, Moe scored 20 points and hit eight of her nine free-throw attempts.

After Moe, there are opportunities for some new starters. First-year head coach Kevin Velasco will let his team run, but the Buffanblu want to lock down defensively. That is one of the mantras of former head coach Mike Taylor, who is on staff as an assistant to Velasco.

Punahou (2-1) has depth and puts it to use. Astra Kidani, Samantha Alakai, Kaitlyn Waki, Elle Uyeda and Kamaile Kandiah are some of the Buffanblu who are capable of double-digit scoring in any given game.

Keau Fey, who also plays volleyball and water polo, will help on the boards.

At ‘Iolani, life after Alex Masaquel is intriguing. The 5-10 All-State forward was a bull on the boards and a scoring threat anywhere on the floor. Now the Raiders (7-3) are reloading, using their uptempo game and 3-point gunning. With first-year head coach Dean Young, the Raiders continue to win. One loss was to Hilo and the other two were to powerful Riverdale and Westview (Ore.).

The ninth-ranked Raiders count on versatile Jade Botelho, a 5-10 senior, under the glass. They have some height with Sierra Buscher (5-9) and Sunshine Saucedo (5-11), but this is primarily a guard-oriented attack. Pua Kahalehoe is among the returning starters, joined by fellow long-range gunners Klein Masutani, Brooke Maeda and freshman Kelsi Ikeda.

Sacred Hearts, guided by former All-State and University of Hawaii forward Brittney Aiwohi, is a dark-horse contender. The Lancers have a strong group of returnees that has been together, for the most part, since middle school. Zoe Yamamoto and sisters Erica and Celina Pagan are part of a solid nucleus.

Mid-Pacific is without high-scoring guard Kiki Robertson (Alaska Anchorage) for the first time in four years. Replacing Robertson, who carried the scoring load and was state defensive player of the year despite injuries, is a difficult task. Coach Liz Kam has a young team led by returnees Pua Kanekoa and Courtney Tom. The Owls were 2-1 in Leilehua’s tournament, beating Honokaa and Castle, and losing to the host Mules. They also played at Konawaena’s tourney, beating Hawaii Prep, and losing to Honokaa (49-41), Kamehameha-Hawaii (54-51) and the host Wildcats (41-30).

In D-II, the door is wide open. Hanalani has the inside track after reaching the state semifinal round, but All-State center Sarah Liva transferred to Mililani in the offseason.

St. Francis, sparked by senior Tayler Bellevou, has been impressive in preseason, splitting games with Hawaii Baptist and posting a win at Kalani. HBA has wins over D-I Kailua and St. Andrew’s Priory. Paced by Jenee Brown, the Eagles also topped rival St. Francis in a 27-26 nonleague thriller in late November.

The D-II field includes Hanalani, HBA, La Pietra, Le Jardin, St. Francis and University High.

The league’s D-III group is comprised of Christian Academy, Hawaiian Mission, Island Pacific, Lanakila Baptist and Lutheran. All three classifications in the ILH will play segregated schedules.

Some of the league’s "big" schools — ‘Iolani, Kamehameha and Punahou — also have teams participating in D-II, categorized in their own I-AA division and not eligible for the D-II title.