It is time to start hearing the squeaking of basketball shoes on a gym floor and the swishing of a net as the 2010-2011 high school basketball season gets into full swing in Pembroke.
Bryan County High School tips off the season on Saturday, playing host to Effingham County. The girls' game begins at 6 p.m., the boys' contest follows.
 Here's a look at what both teams expect this winter:
The Lady 'Skins, who are coached by Mario Mincey, will try to improve on last season's 19-8 (8--2 in Region 3-A) record and trip to the state playoffs. Mincey again has high expectations again for his team.
"This season we hope to be in the thick of things in Region 3," he said. "We really gained some good experience last year by making it to the state playoffs and we hope to repeat that effort. Our region is very tough again with ECI, Savannah Christian and Calvary returning several key players, so we expect to be in some tough games."
  There will be familiar faces on the court for the Lady 'Skins this year as a core group of seniors return, including Whitney Fields, Kim Williams, Shantel Jones, Erica Hood and standout Olivia Melvin.
Joining this group in the mix will be returning juniors, Satashala Beasley and Tiffany Howard.  Mincey feels he can also get some from several sophomores and other juniors.  
The Lady 'Skins have struggled at times shooting and turning the ball over, but Mincey has addressed this issue during pre-season practice.
"On offense we have focused on shooting the ball more consistently and cutting down on turnovers," he said. "We have also put a big focus on offensive rebounding, something we did not do a good job of last year." 

Read the entire story in Wednesday's edition of the Bryan County News.