Commerce’s basketball teams will open their season Saturday.
The Tigers and Lady Tigers face Apalachee on the road; the first game starts at 6 p.m. with the Lady Tigers taking on the Lady Wildcats, with the boys’ game to follow.
Men’s Team
With almost half of the team coming from the football team following last Friday night’s game, coach Chad Bridges is cautious about evaluating this year’s team.
Bridges did say that this year’s team is looking to be better than last year’s team, which went 5-14.
“We shoot the ball better and have improved our ball handling,” said Bridges.
The boys will face AAAA Apalachee this Saturday.
Apalachee went 8-11 last year and has several returning seniors. The game will give Bridges his first real look at the strengths and weaknesses of his team, and will have a little time to adjust before their second game against region opponent Tallulah Falls on Dec. 5.
Lady Tigers
The Lady Tigers are slightly behind their intended goals, but have shown definite signs of improvement, says assistant coach Barry Cook.
Cook will take the reins as coach Eddie McCurley recovers from a recent hunting accident.
He said he is impressed by the girls’ work ethic and their drive to improve.
“The girls are working hard,” said Cook. “Coach McCurley and I both believe that we can be faster offensively this year.”
Last season the Lady Tigers went 7-13 overall.
Some of the key players include Brittney Beauchamp, the 5-8 post, who is a fierce competitor in her position according to Cook; and Jessie Flint, who returns after a knee injury and will play perimeter. Cook said that Flint has a strong outside shot.
Another player to keep an eye on this season is 5-10 sophomore, Jasmine ‘Jaz’ Grier. Cook said Grier can play outside and inside and has shown some great developing talent.
The Lady Tigers have their first chance of the season this Saturday as Commerce travels to Apalachee to face the Lady Wildcats, who went 3-18 last year. Tip-off is at 6:00.
Last year the Lady Wildcats went 3-18 overall.
