McKenzie School's Head Basketball Coach Scott Curd is keeping things simple on the hard court for his players.

Unlike some schools, the Tigers' game plan is targeted only at their immediate opponent.

Curd's planning method looked to be ineffective throughout the first half of the season, resulting in only one win for McKenzie. Since, the Tigers (4n10) have captured three wins, including two in a row, giving them a boost of confidence as the Class 1A, Area 2 Tournament quickly approaches.

"We're not looking ahead to any team," Curd said. "In the locker room after the Highland Home win, we said Lets go get two in a row.' After the W.S. Neal win, we said Lets go get three.' We're not looking ahead. We're taking it one night at a time."

Curd believes the Tigers' newfound success should be an advantage heading into the area tournament, which will be held at J.F. Shields on Feb. 10.

"It ought to give us some confidence going into the area tournament," Curd said. "It just proves that you don't have to be the best team all year, as long as you're the best team on any given night."

The Tigers' most recent victory was a 68n50 road win over Class 3A W.S. Neal last Friday.

"We played real solid," Curd said. "We're starting to play pretty solid now, right here at the right time."

Four players scored in double figures for the Tigers against W.S. Neal. Senior Point Guard Russell Davison led McKenzie with 20 points, while Senior Center Jordan Lowe, Junior David Davison and Sophomore Rhett Lowe chipped in with 12 points each. Rhett Lowe finished with four threenpointers.

"We played pretty good defensively," Curd said. "We had good intensity and good effort on the defensive end. We've had pretty good defensive efforts all year."

Jordan Lowe led the defense with nine rebounds. David Davison finished with seven boards.

McKenzie also defeated Class 2A rival Highland Home last week. The Tigers defeated the Flying Squadron on Thursday, 57n49.

"I thought we played pretty solid once again," Curd said. "To beat a team like Highland Home, you've got to because they've got a good basketball team. They're probably the most athletic team we've played this season. They were quick, could run and jump, and played tough defense, but we did too. We hung in there and put together the best quarter we've had all year. In the fourth quarter, we were able to pull out a big win."

MHS was trailing Highland Home 25n20 at halftime and 39n30 at the end of three quarters. The Tigers went on a 15n2 run early in the fourth to capture the lead and quickly cushioned that lead. McKenzie outscored the Highland Home 27n20 in the fourth quarter.

Russell Davison led McKenzie with 19 points and seven rebounds, followed closely by David Davison's 18 points and eight rebounds. Brothers Jordan and Rhett Lowe added eight points each. Jordan Lowe led the defense with nine boards.

McKenzie will take on Highland Home on the road at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The junior varsity and the girls will precede the varsity boys beginning at 4:30 p.m.