Florala boys basketball coach Brad Garner said his team is looking forward to getting back on the court after a much-needed break.

The Wildcats will participate in the Alabama-Florida Shoot Out in Pleasant Home today, Dec. 30, and Sat., Jan. 1, 2011.

The shoot out will consist of two boys and girls teams from Alabama (Pleasant Home and Florala), and two boys and girls teams from Florida (Baker and Laurel Hill).

“We’re looking forward to it,” Garner said. “We took some time off last week. That was probably the first break some of these guys have had since the first of July since summer football.

“I think they needed it, and I probably needed it myself,” he said.

Florala’s boys and girls teams will play Baker today; and Laurel Hill on Saturday, starting at 3 p.m. The girls team plays at 3 p.m., and the boys tip off at 4:30 p.m. each day.

Garner said this tournament has excellent timing when it comes to the area play that is coming up in January.

“You get back and get a couple games in, and then it’s like a second season (in January),” he said. “Baker and Laurel Hill are real good opponents.

“They’re some what differences in what they do in the style they play,” he said. “Laurel Hill puts pressure on the ball, we’ll have to see how we handle that pressure. It’s something we’re working hard on this week (at practice).”

Florala played in a regular season contest against Laurel Hill earlier this season. The Wildcats fell 60-42 to Laurel Hill’s inside game.

“We’re still working on the same things we’ve been working on,” Garner said. “We need to get points inside a little bit, and do a better job with that.”

Additionally, Garner said he has changed a few things on his defensive scheme, mainly using the same players but in different positions.

“This shoot out is a good opportunity to try things out before you start out with area,” he said.