The Ocean City PBA Tipoff Weekend, which has become a traditional way to start the high school basketball season, starts at noon Saturday with 10 games over two days.

At noon Saturday, the Absegami girls (1-0), led by sharpshooting junior guard Reese Downey, will take on Millville (0-1), led by junior Brianee Edwards.

At 1:45 on Saturday, the Lower Cape May and Hammonton boys will both start their seasons. The Tigers are led by senior Macky Bonner, a four-year starter, and Hammonton junior Kenny Smith is one of South Jersey’s top players.

Up next is an Atlantic City boy-girl doubleheader. At 3:30 the ACHS boys (1-0) will take on St. Joseph Academy. The Wildcats (0-1) are led by senior Jason Umosella and sophomore Will Spross while the Vikings (1-0) feature junior Kahjuan Roseborough and senior Frank Gilliam.

The Atlantic City girls (0-1) will then face Ocean City (0-1) at 5:15. The Raiders, with their fourth coach in four seasons, are defending South Jersey Group 3 champions and feature senior McKenna Chisholm and junior Madelyn Adamson. The Vikings, who played for the championship of the CAL Tournament and South Jersey Group 4 last year, are led by junior Bridget Roach and sophomore Taison Parker.

Saturday’s final game (7pm) is a re-match of last year’s CAL boys championship game, pairing off Egg Harbor Township (1-0), who won the CAL Tournament and South Jersey Group 4 last year, with St. Augustine Prep (1-0). EHT features freshman Jalen Bell and junior Jake Karp. The Prep is led by senior Noah Plenn and sophomore Kyle Helphenstine.

Sunday starts at noon with a Wildwood High School girl-boy doubleheader. The Warriors, who open their season tonight against Pennsville, will face Egg Harbor Township (1-0). Wildwood is led by one of the state’s top scorers, junior Macie McCracken. EHT (1-0) features Averie Harding and Lyla Brown.

At 1:45, the Wildwood boys (0-1) will tangle with Shawnee (0-1). The Warriors feature seniors Junior Hans and Ryan Troiano while Shawnee is led by senior Ryan Senft and sophomore Lucas Solomen.

Incidentally, it is believed that Wildwood basketball has a unique situation in South Jersey basketball history. The girls coach – Hall of Famer Teresa Cunniff – has a son, Brian, on the boys team. And the boys coach, Scott McCracken, has a daughter, Macie, on the girls team.

At 3:30 on Sunday, Wildwood Catholic Academy (0-1) returns to the Dixie Howell Gymnasium where it lost a close game on Thursday, to face Pleasantville (1-0). The Crusaders are led by senior Charlie Dunner and sophomore Alex Daniel. Pleasantville features seniors Jah’iere Walker and Sha’kir Boyd.

Two of South Jersey’s best girls teams meet Sunday at 5:15 when Middle Township takes on Williamstown (1-0). The Panthers, defending South Jersey Group 2 champions who open their season tonight against Vineland, are led by seniors Madison Palek and Hannah Cappelletti. Williamstown is led by senior Iriona Gravley and junior Alivia Mauz, who have scored more than 1,700 career points between them.

Tipoff Weekend ends with a 7pm game on Sunday between the Ocean City boys (1-0) and Holy Spirit (0-1). The Raiders are led by seniors Kori Segich, Dylan Schlatter and Patrick Grimley – who all averaged in double figures a year ago. The Spartans feature sophomore Ty Costabile and freshman Sean Gormley.

In addition to the title sponsorship by the Ocean City PBA, Tipoff Weekend is also supported by Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, DiOrio’s Bar & Grill in Somers Point, South Jersey Produce, Wawa, the Ocean City Firefighters, Calvi Electric and the Ocean City Free Public Library.