Entering the second full week of practice, Straughn coach Trent Taylor said the players have done well managing the different elements that are associated with summertime in August.

Temperatures have been in the upper 90s, and heat indexes have reached more than 100 degrees.

The Tigers started practice Aug. 2, and it also signified a week where most practices were carried out under overcast skies.

“Three out of the four days we practiced during the day were overcast, so (Mon., Aug. 9) was probably the first day we had to battle not only practice itself, but also the elements with the heat and all being what it was,” Taylor said. “I thought the players did a pretty good job with it, considering.”

For the most part, Taylor said the team is improving, and the players and coaches understand there is work that needs to be done.

“We’re making improvements, but we’re not certainly where we need to be by any stretch of the imagination,” he said. “We’re kind of having to get back in that mode. We’re not ready to be very boastful. The kids are just as aware as we (coaches) are on what needs to be improved upon. I’d say for the most part they’re doing a pretty decent job of getting there.”

In regards to the heat issue, Taylor said the players have access to water throughout each two-hour practice every day, and that if the players need water, they are free to get it at anytime.

“They’re never — regardless of what drill they’re in — they’re never within 10 or 15 feet from a watter bottle,” he said. “That’s one of those things they’ve got to kind of be aware of themselves. As long as it doesn’t interupt a drill. Whenever someone else is going, they’re free to do what they need to do (to get hydrated).”

The regular season begins in just 16 days, and the Tigers will continue to won on improving their game, Taylor said.

“I guess the biggest thing the kids have to guard against is not letting practice get mundain,” Taylor said. “To say, well we’re doing this drill again, and it getting worked on in the summer and spring practices.

“The players know that we’re doing it because we’re not improving (on the drill),” he said. “I think the kids have done a pretty good job with that. I think they haven’t allowed that to happen. They haven’t allowed it to be a boring and mundain thing. They’ve gotten out and gotten after it.”