The Greenville High varsity basketball teams has fallen on hard times.

The Tigers have recently dropped

four games each in contests against Prattville High School, Wilcox County,

T.R. Miller and Monroe County.

On Jan. 10, the Tigers fell to the Prattville Jaguars.

In the varsity boy's game, GHS dropped the home game 55-41.

The Jags led at the end of all the quarters, including a 24 to 16 advantage at halftime. With the loss, the Tigers' record dropped to 6-8 on the season.

GHS's Jerome Harris led the team with nine points while three other Tigers had seven each; Jeremiah McConico, Sam Williamson and Corey Bedgood.

GHS boy's coach Karl Bledsoe said the Jaguars played well.

"Prattville has a good team. They were patient and shot the ball well," Bledsoe said.

The coach said the Tigers had the shot opportunities, but could not convert.

"We did a good job of getting open shots, but we simply did not make them." Bledsoe said. "We have got to improve on shooting."

Along with the shooting woes, the Tigers defensive effort was lacking.

"We had good pressure at some times, but then we would have a breakdown," the coach said. "That's my fault.

We'll go back to work and

get better."

On Jan. 14, the Tigers traveled to Wilcox to avenge their early season loss to them.

On this night, it would not come. Wilcox prevailed 70-45.

In the first quarter, Bledsoe's club came out hitting their shots and realized a 17-13 lead.

Harris led the way with eight in the opening quarter.

In the second, the Tigers continued the charge but Wilcox turned the momentum to their favor thereafter.

"We played the best we could have played for a quarter and a half," Bledsoe said.

"Our intensity level was real high. We just have to sustain this for four quarters"

After Wilcox gained the upper hand, they went into half with a 33-24 lead. They continued in the third and fourth as Wilcox outscored the Tigers 39-21 in the second half.

Bedgood led the Tigers with 10 points and McConico had seven points.

"Wilcox also has a real good team," the coach said. "However, I'm proud of my players because they all gave a great effort."

He said the team is still improving and that's what one should look for in a

young team.

On Jan. 18, Bledsoe's club lost a heart 63-62 breaking contest against T.R. Miller.

In the game, the Tigers was leading 15-10 at the end of the first frame.

Although GHS was up by five at halftime, T.R. Miller stormed back in the fourth to outscore the Tigers 22-14. The fourth quarter run dropped Greenville to 6-10 on the season.

"We had our chances to put the game away but we didn't," Bledsoe said. "T.R. Miller made a run in the fourth that put them over the top."

McConico scored a team and season high 26 points in the loss.

Scoring in every quarter, McConico hit 12 shots from the field.

"We did a great job against Hillcrest and Andalusia responding to pressure; tonight, we didn't," he said.

Bledsoe said he needed someone to to step up to the pressure when the game is on the line.

"It may be someone different every night," Bledsoe said.

"It may be on offense, defense, at the free, or just being a positive court leader."

Williamson added 15 and both Chris Toles and Bedgood had nine points.

On last Friday, the boys' varsity team suffered a 70-58 loss to Monroe.

The Tigers fell behind early as Monroe led 37-27 at halftime.

In the third quarter, GHS traded buckets with their opponents but failed to cut the lead.

Joshua Smith scored 15 points en route to a five for six three-point shooting mark. McConico led the team with 16 points.

"Joshua did a great job keeping us in the ball game with his three pointers in the third quarter," Bledsoe said. "However, they (Monroe) made it hard to defend them but you have to do it."

Bledsoe said everyone has to do a better job of defending.

"We gave up to many uncontested shots," the coach said.

Bledsoe also was discouraged about the team's free throw shooting in the game.

The girl's team also dropped the same games during these opponents.

GHS varsity girl's coach Jerome Antone said the team is young.

"We have improved during the season but it takes time for the experience to truly pay off," Antone said.

In the T.R. Miller game, the team suffered a 68-38 loss on the road.

Kayla Albritton had 11 points. She hit three three-pointers in the contest.

"She played a good game and Amanda Dunklin also contributed as well," the coach said.

Dunklin had nine points and six rebounds.

The Tigers' next opponent will Carroll-Ozark on Jan. 31 at home. Tip-off

is set for 5 p.m.