Straughn girls basketball coach Scott Kinsaul said he expects nothing but for his girls to play the “best” they can this season.

The Lady Tigers have three returning starters from last year’s team in seniors Tiffany Taylor, Katy Messick and Sierra Danford. In addition, the Lady Tigers have one junior, one sophomore, six freshmen and five eighth graders.

This year, Straughn will compete in Class 4A, Area 3 with Andalusia, Headland and Ashford.

Kinsaul said he knows that Andalusia will be the “team to beat.”

“Their team starts and ends with (junior point guard) Alexis Horton,” he said. “She’s a great player, and what makes their team go.

“It’ll be a challenge to stop her,” he said. “The team feeds off of her. Andalusia’s going to be a good team, and we’re looking forward to playing them.”

Last season, Straughn never made it past the area tournament in Class 3A, which is something Kinsaul said is one of many goals this year.

“Our goals are to win the area, get to the regional tournament and hopefully to Birmingham (for the state finals),” he said. “We’re young and talented. I’m looking forward to the year.”

The Lady Tigers will kick off their season tomorrow night in a four-team tournament in Samson. Straughn will start against Opp at 6:30 p.m.