Straughn’s focus is strictly on Excel, as the Lady Tigers open play of the Class 3A, Area 2 tournament tonight.

The Lady Tigers, along with the Opp Lady Bobcats, will play for a spot in the sub regionals. Opp faces Southside Selma in the first game today at 3:30 p.m.

Ninth-ranked SHS hasn’t hosted an area tournament since 2009, when it fell to Calhoun in the championship.

Losing to CHS in the area final is in the past and hasn’t crossed SHS coach Scott Kinsaul’s mind.

What’s on the Lady Tigers coach’s mind is taking care of business against Excel tonight at 6:30.

“It’s going to be a good tournament,” Kinsaul said.

In Straughn’s two losses this season — to St. James in the season opener and to Class 2A’s No. 7 Providence Christian — the Lady Tigers didn’t rebound well.

Kinsaul said rebounding and playing good defense are the two big keys for the girls in the area tournament.

“We’ve got to do the same thing we’ve done for 27 games this year,” he said. “That’s what we’re concentrating on at practice is rebounding and defense.”

Opp’s three losses this season have come to the Lady Tigers.

Kinsaul said the girls have already accomplished their first goal — to win the regular season area title.

Straughn’s second goal is to win the area championship.

“It would be a tremendous achievement to win the area tournament because you get to host the sub regional,” Kinsaul said. “It’s something they can always say they were area champions and that they had a good home crowd. We know our fans will show up Monday night. We’re looking forward to playing in it.”

Admission to today’s games is $6 per person.