Tonight’s trip to Sandy Creek is far more than just a bus ride for the Douglas County Lady Tigers.

What makes the game so important is that the Lady Tigers (9-1) can clinch a top-three position in the region standings with a victory. Sandy Creek (5-3) is battling for the No. 4 seed, and has a longshot at No. 3. The good news is top scorer Kristina Wells is back, after being out nine days with a concussion.

“After being out for nine days, she may be a little winded after a couple of times up and down the floor,” Douglas County coach Chet Forsh said. “It takes a little time for lungs to get built up. Until then, she may be breathing a little hard.”

As for how much Wells plays tonight, the coach says he’ll wait and see.

“Of course, I would like to play her about 15 or 20 minutes if we can take control of the game. But you never know,” Forsh said. “We really run the same offense when she’s in the game or not.”

Concussions in all sports have been in the news lately. Are there more or are coaches, trainers and doctors just more concerned now?

“In the old days, we just bounced back when we hit our head and usually went on,” said Forsh, who also realized that in some cases that wasn’t the smartest thing.

With cases like Wells, coaches pretty much use the same routine. Following her injury on Jan. 23 at Lithia Springs, she quickly went to the emergency room. She later saw a neurologist. He almost cleared her to play Friday against Villa Rica, but decided to play it safe.

As for life without their top player, the Lady Tigers got by with region wins against Alexander and Villa Rica.

Christin Mercer, their No. 2 scorer, continued to rebound well, though Forsh said he would like to see her hit the offensive boards harder.

Younger players like Latara Spriggs, freshman Amanda Brooks and freshman Kianna Glover have all stepped up, though Forsh said “we had some girls who tried to do too much” in Wells’ absence. “I don’t think it was an ego thing or anything like that.”

Sandy Creek is having a strange season. Though 5-3 in the region, the Lady Patriots are only 8-13 overall.

“I remember that they have one good outside shooter back,” Forsh said. “And for some reason we never shoot very well down there. It’s not an easy place to play.”