The Troup Tigers are two wins away from their second tournament championship of the season.

The Tigers began their season by winning the Lafayette (Ala.) Tip-off tournament, and this week they’re participating in the Tiger Communication Classic tournament at Auburn High.

The Tigers began their tournament stay on Wednesday with a 71-67 victory over Lee-Montgomery, and they’ll take on host Auburn at 8 p.m. today in a semifinal matchup, with the winner advancing to Saturday’s championship game.

The Tigers made a lot of mistakes in Wednesday’s game, but they found a way to win it at the end, with senior Lakeithin Buckner leading the way with 21 points, including the go-ahead basket in the final minute.

The Tigers are an inexperienced team, with Buckner the only returning starter, and head coach Thermond Billingslea said that lack of experience showed up against Lee.

The Tigers led by nine points at the half, but they found themselves down by four points in the fourth quarter after Lee went on a 12-0 run.

Troup recovered and won the game, though.

“We just started turning the ball over one after the other and not taking care of it,” Billinsglea said. “That’s the sign of a young team, an inexperienced team, especially from that (guard) spot. But, like I said, I hope we’ll learn from it, and we’re pleased to win as we’re trying to learn.”

The Tigers have done enough to build a 4-1 early-season record, and Buckner said every game serves as a valuable learning tool.

“We’re getting better,” Buckner said. “We just have to work hard and get better every day.”

Also this weekend, LaGrange High’s teams will be in action as they look to remain unbeaten.

LaGrange will visit Heard County today before returning home to face Hiram on Saturday.

Both LaGrange teams bring 5-0 records into today’s games.

Callaway’s teams, meanwhile, will be on the road against Greenville today.

The Cavaliers (0-2) are trying to win their first game of the season after back-to-back close losses to Troup and LaGrange, and the Lady Cavaliers (1-1) will try to get over the .500 mark with a win today.

In private-school basketball, LaGrange Academy’s teams will have a busy weekend with road games against Calvary Christian today and Glennwood on Saturday.

Dawson Street Christian School’s teams will visit Griffin Christian School today.