Straughn outscored Opp 13-4 in the third period and the Tigers went on to beat the Bobcats 49-40 on Friday night to secure the right to host the Class 3A, Area 2 tournament in early February.

The Tigers and Bobcats played even during the second period, but SHS led 29-20 at the break.

Tigers coach Rusty Andrews said the boys played well and stepped it up “defensively” in the third.

By the end of the third, the Tigers led by 18 at 42-24.

“I was proud of the boys,” Andrews said. “We played well two-and-a-half quarters.”

Andrews was referring to the late run Opp had when he got the chance to put in his reserves to allow the starters to rest.

“I felt like they earned some playing time,” the SHS coach said about his back ups.

Andrews said another season for the Tigers (14-4, 5-1) is about to start.

“We’ve had a good year so far, but our second season starts now,” he said. “We had goals set at beginning of the year, and we set them. Every year, we raised our goals. I’m interested to see if we reach those this year.”

Straughn’s Brice Scott led the Tigers with 18 points; Rollin Kinsaul chipped in 9; and JD Driver had 7.

Opp coach Sterling Driver said he put in a “man-to-man” game play against the Tigers’ offense the whole game.

“We just tried to dictate shots they took,” Driver said. “I knew playing them man, that they have a very good, very moving motion man offense. I felt playing them man would take them away from the outside shot. They did a good job of moving around.

“My guys played very, very tough,” he said. “I was proud of them.”

Opp’s JaKeith Edwards led the Bobcats with 11 points.

Opp is the No. 4 seed going into the area tournament, which starts Fri., Feb. 7. The Bobcats play Straughn in the first round.

In girls action, Straughn won 46-24.

Jacie Williamson led SHS with 13 points.

Saquaya Lane led Opp with 14.

Straughn’s B-team won 35-31.

Allan George and Ethan Wilson had 8 points each for SHS.

Payton Whigham led OHS with 6.

Straughn hosts Florala on Monday. Opp hosts Andalusia on Friday.