It’s been a long, hard road–though the Greenville Tigers’ record this season hardly shows it–but the team claimed an area championship Thursday night with a 70-61 win over Brewbaker Tech.

Four Tigers reached double digits, including Charles Warren with 12 points, Malik Bunch with 10 points and 8 rebounds, Romontez Rhodes with 10 points and 6 assists and Tyler Stone with 8 points and 10 rebounds.

First-year Greenville head basketball coach Stu Stuedeman said that he was extremely proud of his players, as well as the community as a whole, to have such success in his very first year.

“There is nothing more fun than experiencing playoff success in basketball,” Stuedeman said.

“For me personally, that is where I get my joy from. Seeing our players, who have worked so hard all year, reap the rewards of their commitment and hard work is gratifying.”

Stuedeman added that good-old-fashioned work ethic is the No. 1 reason for the Tigers’ success thus far.

“I contribute our success to the same thing  I always contribute it to–being the hardest-working and playing tteam in the state, the most unselfish team in the state and the most fearless team in the state,” Stuedeman added.

“Our players have accomplished that day-in and day-out, and that is why they are successful on game day.  Our players’ commitment to that mindset and our style of play, which is very hard to practice but fun to play, is the reason they are experiencing the success they’re experiencing.”

But the road to a championship has only begun for the Tigers, though Stuedeman believes he and the Tigers, as well as his coaching staff, are up to the task.

“Our journey is not over, though; we will have a huge challenge on Tuesday in a win-or-go-home situation that we have to keep our same mindset and finish the fight,” Stuedeman said.