The Commerce High School Tigers are 2-0 in region play.
After picking up an 80-75 win over Hebron Christian Academy last Saturday, the team is in good shape before the Christmas break.
Coming up this week, the Tigers will host Apalachee on Saturday before having next week off. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. following the Lady Tigers’ game.
The Tigers hope that with two wins under their belt and having the home-court advantage, the Apalachee rematch will go in their favor. Coach Chad Bridges said that the game should be a good measure of where the team is now. Commerce should play with more confidence in Friday’s game, according to Bridges.
Last week, the Tigers faced rival Jefferson on Friday night.
Commerce played well for three periods against the Dragons, but Jefferson pulled out a 58-46 win.
Bridges said that the team played pretty well, except for the second period where Commerce faltered.
While the Jefferson game was only for local pride, Saturday’s game counts in the region standings.
Commerce was a little slow at the start as Hebron quickly jumped out in front. The Tigers warmed up quickly and overtook Hebron before the end of the first quarter, 16-13. In the second eight minutes, Hebron scored 22 points but was still behind as Commerce picked up 23 points.
An aggressive Tiger offense kept Commerce five points ahead at the end of the third quarter, 58-53. Hebron dug in and reached Commerce with a little over three minutes left in the fourth quarter. With the score tied 64-64, The Tigers pulled back into the lead with a field goal.
With just over a minute left, Hebron once again caught Commerce, tying the board 72-72.
Commerce went on top as the clock got down under a minute. Bridges reminded his troops that the game wasn’t over and with 20 seconds still on the clock, Commerce pulled ahead 78-75.
Hebron still had a chance of forcing the game into over-time but a foul sent T. Green to the line where he made both free throws. At :03.2, the game was over and the Tigers celebrated an 80-75 win.
