BY TRIPP NORRIS

The Straughn Tigers and Florala Wildcats opened up the 50th Annual Andalusia Invitational tournament in the first game of the day. The Tigers jumped out to a big lead early on the strength of six 3 pointers in the first quarter. Taylor Rhudy, along with Justin Peeples, and Hank Peeples each hit a pair of threes for the Tigers giving Straughn a 25-7 lead after one. Florala battled Straughn evenly in quarter number two with the Tigers barely edging out the Wildcats 19-17 in the second. Both teams scored 21 points a piece in the third with the Wildcat’s Andeon White scoring 11 for Florala. Both teams added 14 points each in the fourth as well with Straughn coming out on top 76-59.

Straughn advances and will take on Andalusia tonight at 7:30 in a rematch of last year’s championship, while Florala plays Red Level in the first game today at 4:30.

“We played well tonight and shot the ball well, especially in the first half,” said Tigers head coach Bradley Stevens following his team’s win. “We got to play everyone as well, and our defense tightened up throughout the game” he added. The Tigers were led by Trystian Barber who had 15 points. Justin and Hank Peeples each had 13, and Taylor Rhudy had 11.

“Our first half was kinda sluggish tonight” said Florala coach Troy Stewart. “We changed some guys around and picked up it in the second half and I told our guys not to give up,” he added.

Andeon White had 21 points to lead Florala, Dallas Eastman had 11 points, and Lane Craig chipped in the ten.