The 2016-2017 high school basketball season can officially begin today.

The first week of the season will be highlighted by a competitive tournament for boys and girls teams at McGill-Toolen. That event begins Wednesday and ends Saturday.

Here are six teams to watch for as the season opens on the Coast:

MCGILL-TOOLEN YELLOW JACKETS

Last year’s record: 29-6 (Class 7A state champions)

Head coach: Phillip Murphy in his 10th season

First game: 7 p.m. Wednesday vs. Saraland in the McGill-Toolen Tip Off Tournament

Returning starters: F Matthew McNeece (6-5, freshman), G Larry Rembert (5-11, senior)

Key newcomers: G Oakley Coleman (6-4, junior), PF Zynoba Lett (6-4, junior), PGManny Patrick (5-7, junior), PG Eric Garror (5-7, junior)

Synopsis: The Yellow Jackets lost several key players from last year’s state championship team, including point guard Rene Scott and forward T.J. Howard. However, the cupboard isn’t empty with Rembert and USC football signee Marlon Williams leading the way. Murphy also said McNeece will surprise people with his development, and Coleman is a name high school basketball fans will become familiar with quickly. As it did last year, the length of McGill’s football season will have an impact on how quickly the team comes together. Nine basketball players also play on the Yellow Jackets’ top-ranked football team.

Tevin Brown, the Coastal Alabama Player of the Year in 2016, returns to lead Fairhope. Brown is committed to Murray State.(Mike Kittrell)

FAIRHOPE PIRATES

Last year’s record: 22-8 (Lost to McGill-Toolen in South Regional final)

Head coach: Spencer Segrest in his first season

First game: 7:15 p.m. Tuesday vs. Gulf Shores at Fairhope

Returning starters: G Tevin Brown (6-5, senior), FPhilip Martin (6-4, senior)

Key newcomers: G Brady Summersell (5-9, senior), G Noah White (6-1, senior), G Elijah Caldwell (5-10, senior), G Benni Gambino (5-11, sophomore)

Synopsis: The Pirates have a new man in charge this year with Segrest taking over for Robby Robertson, who left to take the head coaching job at Faulkner State. The Pirates have nine seniors, but Segrest said only three have “big-time game experience.” One of those, however, is the reigning Coastal Alabama Player of the Year in Brown. The Murray State commit averaged 24 points, 11 rebounds and six assists as a junior. He also was a finalist for Class 7A Player of the Year. Martin is a nice compliment to him. He averaged 13 points and eight rebounds last year. Fairhope will need to develop chemistry around Brown and Martin. If the role players do their jobs, the Pirates could contend for a trip to Birmingham again.

SPANISH FORT TOROS

Last year’s record: 19-12 (lost to Park Crossing in sub-regional round)

Head coach: Dru Powell in his sixth season

First game: 7:30 p.m. Monday night vs. Saraland at Spanish Fort 

Returning starters: G Terrin Atkinson (6-0, senior), F Michael Meador (6-6, senior)

Key newcomers: G Jalen Wayne (6-3, senior), G Jeric Packer (6-2, junior)

Synopsis: Even without Justin Thomas, who plans to sign a football scholarship with LSU and graduate early, the Toros will have a big front line featuring Meador and 6-7 Trae Barry. The addition of Wayne, a transfer from Faith Academy, should also be a big boost to an already quality team. Several key contributors, including Barry, Wayne and Malik Tucker, all are playing in the football postseason so Powell is hoping the team comes together when those players return to the court.

Charleston Southern commit Deontaye Buskey is one of Daphne's five returning starters.(Scott Donaldson | preps@al.com)

DAPHNE TROJANS

Last Year’s record: 20-11 (lost in sub-regional round at Carver-Montgomery)

Head coach: Cedric Yelding in his 14th year at the school

First game: 7:30 p.m. Thursday vs. Williamson at Daphne

Returning starters: PG Deontaye Buskey (6-1, senior), SG Teion Stanton (5-11, senior), SFDeandre Graves (6-0,, senior), PF Samir Hamlin (6-2, senior), C Brian Mitchell (6-5, senior)

Key newcomers: None listed

Synopsis: Yelding will have one of the most experienced teams on the Coast with all five starters returning. Buskey, a Charleston Southern commit, averaged 16 points, five assists and two steals a year ago. Stanton averaged 11 points and five rebounds. “We should have great depth with good experience,” Yelding said. “We have set really high expectations and goals for the 2016-2017 season.”

LEFLORE RATTLERS

Last year’s record: 19-9 (lost to Park Crossing in the South Regional semifinals)

Head coach: Jeffrey Pope in his first season

First game: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Murphy

Returning starters: F Johnathan Buskey (6-6, senior), F Skylar Smith (6-3, senior), G Nick Preyer (5-8, junior), F Deantoni Gordon (6-8, sophomore)

Key newcomers: G Keishon Gay (6-0, senior), G Derrick Finklea (6-3, junior), GTyler Lang (6-5, freshman)

Synopsis: Pope takes over the rival Rattlers after several final four trips as the head coach of Blount. He’ll have plenty of experience at his disposal, including Buskey. The senior averaged 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists a year ago. In all, four starters return from a team that reached the South Regional a year ago. How quickly the team adapts to Pope’s coaching style and schemes likely will determine how successful it is this season.

MURPHY PANTHERS

Last year: 14-11 (lost to Fairhope in Class 7A, Area 2 semifinals)

Head coach: Tim Waller in his 10th season

First game: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Baker

Returning starters: F Cory Hudson (6-5, senior), F Neil Farrell (6-5, senior), GRonitrick Welch (6-3, senior)

Key newcomers: F Michael Jefferson (6-4, junior), G Jakyryn Davis (6-1, senior), GTamarcus Sparks (6-4, junior)

Synopsis: A front-line featuring LSU football commit Farrell and Hudson should be Murphy's strength this season. The Panthers worked through those two during many of their summer practice dates. Still, Waller insists the team won't have a dominant 1-2 punch, as many of his state tournament contenders have had in the past, but should play together as a team. Murphy should be talented as usual. However, the Panthers play in a tough region featuring defending state champion McGill-Toolen and South Regional finalist Fairhope.

Other area teams to watch: Baker (7A), Theodore (7A), Blount (6A), St. Paul's(5A), Vigor (5A), St. Luke’s (2A)