The top flight of women's club basketball is down to four teams this year, although it looks to be a competitive quartet that remains.
Both Varsity and Ajax have cut back to one team in A grade, and the Andy Bay Falcons and South Pacific Magic both field teams.
The Magic is in the unfamiliar territory of having a target on its back as it opens the season today at the Edgar Centre.
Having won its first title in seven years with a 71-46 drubbing of Ajax in last year's winter league final, it will now have to discover the art of defending a title.
It is likely to be without the reigning league Most Valuable Player in athletic guard Dayna Turnbull, however.
She is recovering from injury and it is unknown if she will be back before the season is over.
However, it still has quality, notably in Gold Rush and New Zealand select player Soraya Umaga-Jensen, who brings experience and a strong all-round game.
Natalie Visger provides even more experience in the centre spot, while guard Georgia Te Au will be one of the league's best perimeter defenders.
Looking for redemption will be a Gold Rush-laden Ajax side.
The team has a young flavour to it.
It still has experience in forwards Danielle Frost and Natalie Smith, though, and sisters Aleisha and Nicole Ruske provide aggressive threats on the perimeter.
Varsity welcomes back key trio Grace Love, Bronwyn Kjestrup and Jeanie Pattison, while Vanessa Simpson is an under-rated player.
Its roster has a new look to it, although it can often be hard to tell how strong Varsity will be early in the season.
Meanwhile, the Falcons have retained the core of their squad and look to be improved after returning to the league last year.
Twins Zoe and Brittany Richards will miss the early rounds while they finish the semester at Gillette College in the US.
However, they will be key upon returning and are surrounded by a useful line-up that includes Jenna Small, Jodie Hope and Tayla MacDonald.
For full squad lists, head to odt.co.nz.
