Straughn fought back from a 10-point deficit two times Friday night, but the Tigers couldn’t quite close the deal as they lost 61-55 to Cottage Hill Christian Academy in the Class 3A South Sub Regional.

Each time SHS made its comeback, the Tigers went ahead by either four or five points.

In those clutch situations, free throws were missed, SHS coach Rusty Andrews said.

“We were up by four and we missed the front-end of a 1-and-1,” Andrews said. “We came back from being down 10, and if we hadn’t missed, we would’ve been up by five.

“If we had made the shot, we’d decided to go man to man (on defense). They couldn’t stop Hobie (Hughes) on the inside,” he said.

Straughn led 13-9 after the first period, and trailed 26-21 at halftime.

By the end of the third period, the Tigers were ahead 38-36.

“We played hard,” Andrews said about the game. “We gave great effort. We just missed free throws in the end and some clutch shots.”

Brice Scott led the Tigers with 17 points. His brother, Devin, had six rebounds for SHS.

JD Driver scored 14 points and added seven rebounds and eight assists for the Tigers.

Rollin Kinsaul chipped in 10 points.

Hughes had 10 points and six rebounds.

For Cottage Hill, Johnson had 20 points and Kinder had 16 points.

CHCA advances to play in the Class 3A South Regional Tournament in Dothan next week.

Andrews said it was a privilege to coach this group of players.

“We look to get better even though we lose three seniors,” he said. “I think we’re going to be on the road to big things. We’ll be successful if we continue to work hard.”

Straughn ended its season 19-7.