Ferriday &8212; Several local teams used the Ferriday Hoops Classic over the weekend as preparation for upcoming district play, as well as help younger players gain some experience on the floor.

&8220;We&8217;re improving each game, especially on boxing out and communicating,&8221; said Ferriday girls head basketball coach Lisa Abron. &8220;That&8217;s what the tournament is all about.&8221;

She said many young players got to gain some experience against local teams, adding, &8220;That alone will benefit us as we prepare for district.&8221;

Vidalia girls head basketball coach Damus Smith said, like Abron, that he too used the tournament as a chance for his young team to gain some experience.

&8220;I did see some improvement,&8221; he said. &8220;We are just using these games to get better. The more you play, the better you get.&8221;

Vidalia boys head basketball coach Robert Sanders said the tournament was not only a chance to gauge his team&8217;s progress, but also a chance to scout the competition.

&8220;It gives us a chance to see what we will be up against in district play,&8221; he said.

Ferriday head coach James Davis said he used the tournament as an opportunity to evaluate his team&8217;s progress.

He said even though he expects a lot, he did not see the results he was looking for from his squad. Davis said he has been dissatisfied with his team&8217;s ability to execute.

&8220;It&8217;s always good to play three games, but we are not where we need to be,&8221; said Davis.