Straughn knows it could face a tough crowd in the Tigers’ first game at the 27th annual Dothan Eagle/Dothan Progress Holiday Prep Classic in Ozark.

The Tigers will open with Carroll-Ozark at 8 p.m.

Straughn coach Todd Reynolds said it was a “luck of the draw” that his team will face Carroll.

“Just to show you my luck, I draw the home team,” he said. “The Carroll game is going to get us ready for area. If we rally the troops and get ready for area, it will be a good game.”

Reynolds said it was easy to make the decision to play in the tournament.

“We’re moving up to (Class) 4A,” he said. “Here is what some people don’t understand. Straughn has to get used to being a big school. For years, they’ve been a small school. It’s time to realize that we’re about to be a 4A school.”

Reynolds said in order for his team to be successful, they are going to have to keep the level of “intensity” up.

“Maintaining intensity and understanding how basketball works as far as what is a good shot and what is a bad shot — we’ve got to work on timing,” Reynolds said. “All of those are components you need to win close games. We’ve got such a tough area — it’s going to be a war. Everyone of those area games can be like that.”