December is the best time of year for basketball season.

It’s not as busy as the spring, but there is pretty much some kind of basketball action happening every day of the week, except Wednesday and Sunday.

So far, local teams are off to a great start.

The Brewer Lady Patriots have started exactly where they left off last season. The 2012 5A girls champions are 8-0, as of the end of last week.

This team is going to be one of the fun teams to watch this season to see if they can get back to Birmingham yet again. A big reason for that success would be the Lady Patriot front line including Riley Northway. The Lipscomb signee is looking to make her fourth Final 48 with the Lady Patriots.

The team isn’t satisfied with last year’s loss in the semifinals. Expect them to get back to the postseason with something to prove.

It will be fun to see how the other girls basketball teams will perform this season. Danville will still likely be in the mix for the Morgan County and area championships again.

Hartselle lost senior Quanesha Burks to graduation, but they still return a number of players with experience.

Priceville struggled last year, but they will be much improved. If they can stay healthy, expect the Lady Bulldogs to be a factor.

Falkville’s girls team is coming off one of the best seasons they had in a long time. Expect the Lady Blue Devils to contend for an area championship and possible the county championship as well.

On the boys side, Hartselle has struggled after losing several to graduation. They will be a team that should improve over the course of the season and should be poised to earn a postseason berth.

Priceville returns all of its team from a year ago. Coach Darrell Haynes will have his team ready by the end of the season.

Danville, Brewer and Falkville appear to be improving as well.

This should be a great basketball season. Hopefully one or more of our teams will be heading back to Birmingham again.

It seems like Morgan County has been making a home at the BJCC. Let’s hope that will continue into 2014.

Brent Maze is the managing editor of the Hartselle Enquirer.