Straughn girls basketball coach Scott Kinsaul said he is excited about the opportunity to play in the 12th annual Red Level Invitational Christmas tournament next week.

Kinsaul’s Lady Tigers earned their ninth win earlier this week, defeating tournament host Red Level, 64-29.

In that game, three Straughn players scored in double figures for their team.

“We shot the ball real well,” Kinsaul said after Tuesday night’s game. “We made nine 3-pointers. If we can make threes like that, then we’ll be a tough team to beat (at the Red Level tournament). That’s what I’ve been looking for — consistency in our shooting. We played well and we’re looking forward to next week.”

Kinsaul said this tournament will help the Lady Tigers get ready for area games, which start in January.

“This tournament is really going to help us because we’re going to be playing three really good teams at the tournament,” he said. “That’s going to prepare us for our area.”

The Lady Tigers will open the tournament Monday against Loveless Academy Magnet Program out of Montgomery at noon.

“They are going to be a good team,” Kinsaul said.

In addition to LAMP, Straughn will join an eight-team field that includes defending champion Andalusia, Paxton (Fla.), Brantley, Elba and Highland Home.

Earlier this season, Straughn suffered a 54-35 loss to Paxton on Dec. 5.

In order to be successful at the tournament, Kinsaul said his team needs to “make” shots.

“We’ve got to make some shots, we’ve got to defend well and we’ve got to rebound,” he said.

This will be Straughn’s fourth appearance at the tournament. Last year, the Lady Tigers finished in third place and they were runner-up in the 2006 and 2007 tournaments.

This year, Kinsaul said his team wants to do even better.

“Our goal is to win it,” he said.