The Wilmington-area high school girls basketball season heats up this week as most of the area's 2025-26 season gets underway.

From conference rivalries to the bright lights of the final four, the Wilmington area produced plenty of action last winter. In Wilmington, Hoggard searches for a fifth straight league title this fall after winning its 61st straight league game last season.

South Brunswick, Trask and Pender will all play in new conferences this winter after the NCHSAA expanded to eight classifications at the beginning of the school year.

Below you will find 19 nominees for the 2025 StarNews girls basketball preseason player of the year poll. Voting will run through Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 11:59 p.m. At least one player from every area school was nominated. Vote now as many times a

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