The first snowstorm of the year has covered those leaves we didn’t get a chance to pick up and once-dry walkways are now icy and dangerous paths. Winter’s here!

But frigid temperatures and occasional Nor’easters are not the only thing we have to look forward to in the next three months. The winter sports season is upon us and that means high school basketball. Local players have been practicing since Nov. 19 and many teams have played in a number of scrimmages and preseason tournaments.

The Westbrook boys played a number of different teams in the preseason, including Class B Falmouth last weekend and East A power Brunswick on Tuesday evening. Earlier, they had taken on Houlton and Greely.

The Westbrook girls also played in the same type of scrimmages as they prepared for the upcoming campaign. The Blazes practiced against Yarmouth, Edward Little and Brunswick as they get ready for the season opener on Friday

All of the preseason match-ups saw spirited play from everyone who had a chance to get into the game. Players and coaches took the opportunity to work on their half-court sets and full-court defenses and players worked on their jumpers and free throws as they prepared for the high school season openers scheduled for this weekend.

The Westbrook boys and girls teams both play at Biddeford on Friday with the girls facing the Tigers at 5:30 p.m. and the boys playing at the conclusion of that game – approximately 7 p.m.

The boys then travel to Marshwood on Tuesday before their home opener with Sanford on Friday, Dec. 14.

The girls host the Marshwood Hawks on Tuesday night.

Like Westbrook, the Gorham boys and girls travel to the same venue to open the season, as the Rams tip-off at Windham on Friday night. The girls will get underway at 6 p.m. and the boys are set for a 7:30 start. The Gorham boys then host Deering on Tuesday evening.

The Bonny Eagle boys open the season at home with a game against Kennebunk on Friday night at 7 p.m. The Scots then head to Portland on Tuesday to face-off against Cheverus.

Bonny Eagle’s girls hit the road and play at Kennebunk on Friday evening. The Scots host Cheverus on Tuesday.