COVINGTON, Ga. — The Alcovy boys basketball team got a taste of the next level this past weekend. 

Coach Mack Hardwick and his staff took their Tigers squad to Georgia Tech where they got a chance to meet former NBA player, Mario West. 

While there, the Alcovy team took a tour of Tech’s facilities and had an opportunity to talk hoops with West, who had stints with the Atlanta Hawks and New Jersey Nets during his nine year playing career that also took him to play professionally in several foreign countries. 

Coaches say they hope the opportunity will add to the excitement of the upcoming basketball season which, for Alcovy, begins Saturday with a 5:30 p.m. tip off with county rival Eastside. 

The Tigers, despite a 6-22 record in 2016-17, made the Class AAAAAA state tournament and lost a very competitive game against Lee County in the first round. Alcovy returns several starters from last year’s team, including its backcourt, and will be striving for a repeat appearance at state this season. 

Meanwhile, the Lady Tigers, led by second year coach Justin Hunter, will look to improve upon a 4-19 campaign last year that didn’t result in a region win. Hunter’s squad returns its two top scorers from last year in senior Tamia Brown and sophomore Serai Johnson, along with a chunk of other players who saw extensive varsity playing time.

The Lady Tigers also will begin their season Saturday at home against Eastside in game scheduled for a 4 p.m. tip-off.