Hartselle High School’s varsity basketball team will mix competition with fun in the Gatlinburg, Tenn., area during the Christmas holidays.

The Tigers will compete in a 16-team tournament at Seymour High School, about 20 miles from Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Dec. 26-31. They are scheduled to play teams from Indiana, Florida and South Carolina.

When they’re not competing on the court, they’ll be visiting some of the attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Force,’ said head coach Keith Wright. “A visit to Dollywood in Pigeon Force is a possibility but the ski slope in Gatlinburg will be off limits. We don’t want to take the chance of someone getting hurt.”

“We’ll have a party of 28 going and we’ll all be staying in a log cabin in Pigeon Forge,” Wright stated. “It’ll be a great time of team building, fellowship and fun. Plus, our kids will have the opportunity to improve their game against tough competition during the Christmas break.”

“This trip is in keeping with our plan to offer our players something special every year during the Christmas break,” he added. “The kids are really looking forward to it.”

The team made a trip to Disneyworld in Orlando, FL last Christmas where they competed in a Holiday Tournament.

“I’m looking forward to our move to the new high school where we’ll have two competition gyms,” Wright pointed out. “I’d like for us to be able to sponsor a Christmas tournament of our own at some point in the future.”