Straughn is looking for revenge tonight as it takes on Central-Hayneville for a second time this season.

The Tigers faced Central a week earlier and lost, 58-37, but are excited to play again tonight after a big one-point win over Greenville Tuesday, 54-53.

Straughn (8-9, 0-1 in Class 3A, Area 3) will have to control the tempo of the game and control the boards, according to coach Todd Reynolds.

“They crash the boards hard and have quick guards that are seniors,” Reynolds said. “So, they are going to be smart and will make you pay for not protecting the ball. Our job is going to be tough in that we’re going to have to control the boards a little better and control the tempo.”

Reynolds added the start of the game is going to be essential for his team.

“Our start is going to be real important,” he said. “If we can start out in good shape, then that sets up the rest of the game. We played Greenville Tuesday and we started out well. By the end of the first quarter it was 13-13 and then we never looked back after that and never trailed the rest of the game.

“It’s like we used the first quarter to evaluate whether we can beat anybody,” he said. “When you’re playing good teams, that’s all they need to beat you with is a bad quarter.”

Reynolds said up to this point in the season, his team has taken on some quality opponents.

“I wanted to state for the record that again we have played a very tough schedule,” Reynolds said. “Five teams that we have played have either been ranked or are currently ranked in the top 10s of their classifications.”

As far as whether the Greenville win came at the right time for Straughn, Reynolds said it was perfect.

“We have five straight area games and the last chance to get our feet under us and prove that we can compete to win this thing was the Greenville game,” he said. “To go out there and win it just reaffirmed what I have known the whole time. That is that (Straughn) is capable of beating or competing against anybody they play.

“Right now we are sitting at 8-9 and we have not lost to anybody we shouldn’t have lost to,” he said. “We probably have beaten a couple teams that we probably shouldn’t have beaten, notably Georgiana and Greenville. We have proven that the ability is within us. If I can get my players to show up (tonight) both mentally and physically, we’ll give Central all they can handle.”

Reynolds said that he is looking forward to the future of the basketball program at Straughn.

“I am excited about our future this year and as well as next year because I have so many coming back and they’re getting better every game,” Reynolds said. “It’s going to come together and we’ve shown signs that we’re where we need to be. We’re just waiting on that consistency. I encourage all the fans to come out and support this team.”

Tip off is at 4:30 p.m. with the B-team.