The Red Level Tigers are excited to kick off the 2017-18 varsity basketball season on Thursday night when they host Florala.

“Our goal is to compete in our area year in and year out,” Red Level head coach Allen Catrett said. “We want to make sure that we are in the top two of our area at the end of the year. This year, we are using our non area schedule to help prepare us to do that.”

Part of the non area schedule includes a match up with Class 7A Enterprise.

“We wanted to schedule teams that will prepare us for area,” Catrett said. “Enterprise is the third largest school in the state and that’s a game that we can learn a lot from.”

Catrett said that he has been pleased with what he has seen so far at practice.

“Practice has been really good,” Catrett said. “There are some things that we have to clean up, but we have had some productive practices.”

Returning all but one starter from a year ago is something that Catrett said will be big for the team.

“Last year, we were young with no experience,” Catrett said. “This year, we are young with a lot of experience. That should really help us in the long run.”

Catrett said that the players are eager to get back on the court for a regular season game.

“The kids are excited play,” Catrett said. “We just have to play our game.”