There’s only one thing on the minds of Andalusia seniors Justin Dooley, Derrick King and Quayshaun Denson leading into Friday’s first round contest in the Class 4A, Area 3 tournament — Straughn.

Dooley, King and Denson will help lead the Bulldogs in a crucial battle against the rival Tigers tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at AHS. In area tournament play, the winner advances, and the loser goes home in the first round.

“We’re ready to take care of business,” King said. “We’re very excited.”

“We’re going to play this game like it was our last game,” Denson added.

Having the tournament at home is always a good thing, Dooley said.

“It’s good because we’re playing at home, but it could be our last game if we lose,” Dooley said. “We’ve got a whole week of practice to get ready for it.”

Second-ranked Andalusia enters the area tournament as the No. 1 seed. The Bulldogs won the right to host after winning the regular season area title Jan. 25, with a 72-70 win over Headland.

Before Andalusia (27-2) and Straughn tip off for the final game of the night, Ashford and Headland will play at 5:30 p.m in a No. 2 versus No. 3 seed game.

When it comes to the area tournament, AHS boys coach Richard Robertson said it’s anybody’s to take, and that he’s concentrating on one game.

“Anybody can win it,” Robertson said. “Everybody’s 0-0 now. You’ve got to play.

“All I’m concerned about is Straughn because it’s a one-game season in this round,” he said. “If everybody loses in this round, it’s over until November. Everybody’s got to focus on one game at a time, and right now for us, it’s the Straughn Tigers.”

During the regular season, Andalusia beat Straughn 62-26 on Jan. 4, and 52-29 on Jan. 18.

Robertson said he knows SHS boys coach Rusty Andrews will have his team ready for action tomorrow night.

“I read somewhere only a fool underestimates their opponent,” Robertson said. “I don’t profess to be a fool. Anything can happen. They’re well-coached. What we’ve got to do is work on the things we want to do, and do them well.”

One of those things is having a total team effort, Robertson said.

“If we carry out our jobs on the court, everything will be OK,” he said.

In other area action Friday night, Pleasant Home will play Geneva County at 6 p.m., and Florala will play Kinston at 7:30 p.m. in the Class 1A, Area 2 tournament in Kinston; Red Level will face Elba at 7:30 p.m. in the Class 2A, Area 2 tournament in Elba; and Opp will play Pike County at 5:30 p.m. in the Class 3A, Area 2 tournament in Luverne.