The Demopolis Tigers boys’ basketball team traveled to Chatom to compete in the Washington County Holiday Tournament on Friday, Dec. 28 and Saturday, Dec. 29.

The Tigers opened the tournament against Southern Choctaw on Friday. The Tigers defeated the Indians 64-46. In the second game of the tournament, Demopolis faced the Fruitdale Pirates and won convincingly, 73-41.

In the third and final game of the Washington County Holiday Tournament, the Tigers fell to the Washington County Bulldogs in a double overtime thriller, 74-71. The Bulldogs are the No. 3 team in Class 2A and have yet to lose a game this season.

Head coach Rodney Jackson said his team is playing well right now and, although getting a victory over Washington County would have been a signature win, he is happy with his team’s performance.

“We played well and got to the championship game in Washington County,” he said. “We lost by three in double overtime to a very good team. It would have been a big signature win for us, but we went 5-2 through the holiday tournaments and we feel good about that.”

He added that his players are a lot more confident now that they have been stringing together some wins.

“Once you get the feeling of winning, that’s what you want to do,” Jackson said. “I feel very good about where we are right now. We have improved as individuals and our shooting is a lot better. The roles on the team have been defined, and the players know who should pass and who should shoot.”

Jackson said that Tommy Wilson was key in the tournament for the Tigers, especially in the championship loss, where he had 21 points. Roderick Davis was also big for Demopolis, adding in 16 points of his own.

“Tommy is giving me 15 to 20 points a game and Roderick is adding 12 to 17, and they’re playing the whole game while doing it,” he said. “We are more consistent now and it’s starting to show.”

The Tigers finished the tournament with a 2-1 record, which brings their overall record to 7-7.

The DHS boys also finished the Southeast Alabama Christmas Tournament on Dec. 20-22 with a 2-1 record by defeating Cottage Hill Christian Academy and Dothan High School. Their only loss in the tournament came on the first day to Murphy High School, a top-five 6A team.

In the final game of the tournament against Dothan, Wilson and Cortez Lewis led the Tigers with 21 points and 20 points, respectively, to a 59-55 win.

Demopolis returns home on Friday, Jan. 4 to open area play against Sumter Central.

Jackson said that his goal is to get on a roll heading into the area tournaments in early February.