It’s been 10 days too long for Straughn to get ready for its second game of the season as the team faces off against Pleasant Home tonight in Tiger country.

The Tigers (0-1) lost their first game to Red Level, 68-61 on Nov. 21. The Eagles (2-2) come into this game hoping for another win.

Tigers head coach Todd Reynolds said the wait was long between his first game and tonight’s game.

“I’ve had to wait a long time from my last game,” Reynolds said. “I won’t do that again. I’ll make sure I have something going on between my first game and my second game because it’s been 10 days. That’s a long time to ponder on one game, so you’re mixed with fears of gloom and you’re also mixed with making few adjustments making sure everything is all right.

“It’s tough to make adjustments and come out in our second game against Pleasant Home,” he said. “They are going to be fundamentally sound and they’re going to control the ball and we’re going to have to really work to get the upper hand.”

Pleasant Home head coach Jerry Davis said the only way that his team will win is playing with intensity.

“I hope we’re going to be competitive,” Davis said. “I know they’re going to be pretty good size wise and we’re going to be awful little. I know they’re going to pressure us. It will all depend on how well we handle the pressure. We’re going to have to shoot the ball better than we have been shooting it.”

It is the beginning of the year and teams can make minor changes to build team chemistry on the court. Reynolds said the changes he has made lie mostly on the defensive side of the ball.

“Basically, we’re plugging some holes and getting some rotations squared away,” Reynolds said. “We scored enough points to win (in the Red Level game) so our problems were primarily on the defensive side of the ball. Free throws killed us, you can’t beat anybody shooting free throws the way we did.”

Reynolds added that other than free throws and defense, making sure the team is “mentally” fit is a priority.

“We’ve got seven games coming up starting (today),” he said. “So, we’re working on getting them mentally ready for these challenges. A lot of these teams are going to be pretty good and we’re just going to have to be ready for their best games.”

In order for the Eagles to be successful tonight, according to Davis, they are going to have to prevent second-chance opportunities for Straughn.

“We’re going to have to keep them off the boards when they are shooting the ball,” Davis said. “We can’t give them more than one shot. Being able to break the pressure and blocking out will be the keys to the ball game. If you don’t shoot a good percentage you’re not in it.”

And for Straughn, Reynolds said following the “game plan” is going to be the main key.

“We’re going to have to get a little more focused and follow the game plan a little bit more consistently,” Reynolds said. “The game plan changes with each opponent. You’re going to manage your game plan based on each opponent and maximize your strengths and weaknesses.”

Play starts at 4:30 p.m. with B-team and during the girls game at halftime, Straughn’s banner from the 2008 regional tournament will be raised in the gym.