The Hartselle Tigers and Lady Tigers basketball teams finished their last 2018 summer play date June 21 at the Hartselle High School gym and auxiliary gym.

The summer play dates take place throughout the month of June and allow coaches see the strengths and weaknesses of their teams after losing seniors from the previous year. Varsity and junior varsity girls and boys teams play teams from around the north Alabama area. Some teams also have ninth grade only teams as well.

“The summer season is really about learning new schemes, defensive looks and concepts on offense,” Hartselle Lady Tigers assistant coach Bucky Garner said. “We found areas we’ll have to work on to get better, but I think we have a chance to be better on the perimeter this year, and we may be as good in the post as last year.”

Garner said the Lady Tigers played 20 games over a three week period, which included trips to Wallace State and Jacksonville State. “The great thing about the college trips was that it gave some of the players college exposure,” Garner said.

Faron Key, the head coach of the Hartselle Tigers, said they had a great summer and learned a lot about themselves. “They played hard on almost every single possession,” Key said. “The kids supported each other from the sidelines, and the ball handling and passing stood out the most.”

Key said improving the transition offense was one of their goals, and it proved effective. He also said he liked the length of his team. “There are several long, agile guys on our team, and that usually makes for a good defensive team,” Key said.

Key noted some areas that need improvement, such as shooting, being faster and more explosive in the first two steps when they drive toward the basket, team rebounding and adding depth by improving reserve players.

“I’m not only excited about our varsity team, but also our developmental teams in junior high and junior varsity,” Key said. “All levels are making great strides, and we are seeing success at every level.”

“I’m excited about the future of Hartselle Hoops,” Key said.