Straughn will play Excel tonight in winner-take-all area game for the right to play host to the Class 3A, Area 2 tournament.

If the Tigers (13-5 overall, 4-1 in area) win, then they’ll host the area tournament, which starts on Feb. 8. If SHS loses, then there will be a three-way tie, which will go to a coin toss.

When asked if the players realize how big tonight’s game is, SHS coach Rusty Andrews said they certainly know.

“They understand,” he said. “They realize how important it is. They’ve worked real hard. Hopefully, we can close it out to be successful.”

The last time Straughn played Excel was on Dec. 14, in its first area contest of the season. The Tigers won 67-57.

Then, EHS was touted as a young basketball team, but have had the time necessary to get better, Andrews said.

“They’ve had almost a year under them,” he said. “They have two shooters — No. 1 and No. 20. They shoot the ball well and they’re fairly quick.

“We’re going to have to play up to our capabilities if we expect to win,” he said.

Tonight’s keys to the game are to not turnover the ball and get rebounds, Andrews said.

Tip off tonight between the varsity boys is right after the varsity girls.