The Vinton Lions are coming off a 61-60 overtime loss to Pickering at home and are hoping to build on that game as they host East Beauregard today at 7:15 p.m.
"We had a chance," Vinton head coach Jason Tharp said. "We had a good game plan.
"We stuck to it and it just didn't fall our way in the end. Our last two ball games, we have really played as team. We had some guys step up and do some things that we need those guys to do to be successful. Our guard play has improved. Our big guys are getting more involved. We didn't turn the ball over a whole lot and made some good decisions. I think early in the year we forced a lot of shots. Defensively, it was one of our better efforts. Pickering gets up and down the floor well. If we can keep that defensive intensity up it will be a big step in the right direction for us."
In their last District 4-2A meeting against the Trojans, the Lions battled some injuries in a 63-58 loss.
"We had a couple of guys (Doc Roberts and Jarrod Anderson) nursing some injuries," Tharp said. "They played but they didn't play the whole game.
"We have everybody healthy this time around. They are a good ball club. If we don't play well they can definitely beat us. We think we match up well against them. If we can play like the way we have played the last week and a half we will be ok."
Tonight's game will also be senior night. Michael Pickett is the lone senior for the Lions.
The Lions have three players averaging 13 or more points in district in Roberts, Anderson and Tyler Loyd.
The Lady Lions (4-17, 1-8) will also be playing their final home regular season game. It will be the final home game for seniors Melody Smith, August Joseph and Haylee Berry. The Lady Lions will host No. 10 East Beauregard (18-4, 7-1) at 6 p.m.
