The sixth annual Red Level Christmas Tournament is underway this weekend, with action that began Friday morning at the RLHS gym.

In one of the premier match-ups of the day, the Straughn Tigers faced the Florala Wildcats in a battle of in-county rivals.

In a hard-fought contest, the Tigers edged the Wildcats 68-57.

In the first period, it was all Straughn, as the Tigers found the basket ten times, netting 21 points. The Wildcats were slow to the block, scoring only nine.

For the Tigers, six different players sunk the ball, with Jared Armstrong hitting a three-pointer in his first attempt.

For the Wildcats, A.J. Thompson and Victor Hobdy were the lone scorers, with Hobdy hitting a three-pointer.

In the second period, the Wildcats pulled closer, scoring 12 points, led by Corderus Smiley's six points.

The Tigers were able to one-up the Cats with 13 points, including four free throws.

At the end of the first half, the Tigers held a 34-21 lead.

In the third period, the Wildcats found the basket more than the Tigers, but were still outscored 18-17. Thompson led the charge for the Wildcats, scoring six in the third.

For the Tigers, Armstrong nailed two three-pointers, followed by Garrett Windham with four points in the period - two of which were free throws.

At the end of three, the Tigers led 52-38.

In the fourth period of action, both teams essentially swapped baskets, with Wildcats outpacing the Tigers 19-17 in the period.

It wasn't enough though as the Tigers held on for a 68-57 victory.

In the fourth, the Wildcats were led by Vance Gettis, who had five points for the period, followed by Smiley with three.

The Tigers were led by Jeremy Hunt with six points - four of which were free throws.

On the night, the Tigers leading scorers were Alphonso Freeney with 14, Garrett Windham with 13, and Jeremy Hunt with 11. Armstrong had three three-pointers on the night.

For the Wildcats, Smiley had 14, followed by Thompson with 12.

Straughn will play Samson today at 4:30 p.m., who defeated T.R. Miller in an early game.