The season started with a bang with five games, few surprises and as much tension, as you would expect from any opening week.

The Specsavers Wear Valley Wolverines hosted the season's first game against the Young Houghtonians in Division Three.

The hometown Wolves started the slower of the two teams as both teams struggled to find any form or baskets. Led by Robinson & Carr, the first quarter saw the Young Houghtonians, who arrived at the Spectrum Sports Centre with only five players, begin to edge away to a 13-8 lead that would not be caught. The Wolves became much more competitive in the second quarter and a three-pointer by Shovlin got the Wolves within six when the half finished 26-19 to the Houghtonians. The second half quickly turned into a disaster for the Wolves who failed to score in nine minutes of play which included vital free-throw misses. The Houghtonians however picked up the half where they left of, Trewitt & Carr hitting important baskets. The fourth quarter was a repeat of the second quarter with the Wolves trading baskets with their opposition for much of the quarter. Robinson and Carr however shone for the Young Houghtonians who went on to secure their lead and come out comfortable winners 57-36.

Houghtonians top scorers: Carr 22, Robinson 19, Trewitt 11.

Wolves top scorers: Blair 11, Hirst 10.

The first game of the season in Division Two was always going to be a tough one for the Hartlepool HQ Engineering Hornets but even they weren't expecting to be 21-10 down against Consett Steelers after six minutes following excellent play from Matt Patterson and Brendan McAneaney. A time out and a switch to zone defence was able to slow the Consett offence and the Hornets offence reaped the rewards. The Steeler attack was too concentrated around Patterson however and the strong defence coupled with fast-break baskets from Luke Thompson backed up by Robinson soon had the Hornets up by 1 at the half. The second half continued the momentum from the second quarter as the rest of the Hornets began to find space including a barrage of three-pointers from Leon Thompson. Consett also had a number of missed free-throw opportunities as their offence began to disintegrate. Matt Patterson and Chris Telford kept Consett in the game as long as possible but the Hornets were not to be denied today winning the game by 109-81. Hornets top-scorers Luke Thompson 39, Anthony Robinson 22, Leon Thompson 16.

Consett top scorers: Matt Patterson 45, Brendan McAneaney 14.

In Division Three East Durham & Houghall Comm College C began slowly against Wear Valley Wild Dawgs with some new young players and the more experienced Wear Valley capitalised in the first period to go 20-4 ahead. Swallow led the Cs well in the first but all round poor shooting became their downfall whilst Wear Valley's Scott Hirst and Ballard combined with good shooting. The second period saw the Wild Dawgs sit back and rest on their lead as Officer started to make inroads to the Dogs defence with 6 points. Nobody else really made an impact though as both East Durham and the Dogs defences held tough and baskets came from many contributors as the Dogs took a 39-15 lead into the half. The third quarter saw Dunn and Cassell arrive for College and the quality of basketball improved as the Dogs also stepped up culminating with two 3's from Scott who finished the quarter with 10 points. Cassell drove well but missed a number of easy baskets. Tweleve-year-old Callum Harding finished the quarter for College with a good drive and a basket in the final minute. The Dogs still won the quarter however despite missed baskets from 'the line'. The final period saw Wear Valley extend the lead as College's young inexperienced team ran out of steam, sloppily giving position away to the fast-breaking Dogs. Ballard and Hirst also chipped in with some good outside shooting.

In the end then a mixture of the Wild Dogs experience fitness and large squad helped secure the victory 75-39.

ED&HCC C top scorers: Officer 11, Swallow 9, Hirst 19.

Wild Dawgs top scorers: Hirst 19, J. Anderson 10.