The Greenville Tigers traveled to Hillcrest for their first shot at the area title on Saturday night, and succumbed to Monroe County, 63-60.

"They figured out what we were doing, and how we were doing it," said Coach Jai Hill.

Carlos Blackmon led the scoring for the Tigers, with 20 points, and then it was Sam Williamson with 10 and Rondell Hamilton with nine points.

"By packing the lane, going two-on-one, they were able to block our best shooters all night-it was a good strategy for them."

In the first period, Greenville dominated the scoring, making 23 points Monroe County's 15.

Then in the second, the Tigers of Monroe started to block Greenville's shots, and scored 19 points to Greenville's four, making the score at halftime Monroe County 34, Greenville High 27.

After the break, Greenville scored 10 points in the third to Monroe's nine, and the three-period score was 43-37, Monroe County.

Although the GHS Tigers scored 23 points in the final period, the M.C. Tigers scored 20, making the final score 63-60, Monroe County.

"We played a long hard season, and we will be back next year with more determination," Coach Hill said.