Hartselle’s Tigers took to the Tennessee hills during their Christmas break, playing three basketball games in a holiday tournament, sightseeing and shopping in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and hanging out and having fun with their teammates.

“It was a great experience for our kids,” said head coach Keith Wright, “and it could not have gone better except for the fact that we lost all three game we played in the tournament.

“However, our team played well against some really tough competition. We lost by four or five points to a team that represented a Florida school with 4,500 students and we were ahead in the third quarter against a team that plays for a school in South Carolina with 1,800 students.”

“I feel our kids learned some things by playing talented teams from other parts of the country and returned home a better team” Wright added. “In addition, it was a bonding experience. They had lots of fun hanging out together and made memories that will last a lifetime.”

“The accommodations were really nice and we had a ton of fun,” said team member Preston Adams. “It definitely helped us to see different styles of play and go up against tough competition. Now we’re ready to get back on the court and give our best effort to every game we play.”

“I think playing strong teams from other areas is going to help us relax and play with more energy for the remainder of the season,” said Colston Thompson.

Timbo Slaten added, “Our goal was to come back a better team and I think we did that.”