The Goshen Eagles were set to travel to a unique tournament this weekend, but had to change their flight pattern at the last moment.

Goshen, fresh off a runner-up finish in the first ever Goshen Holiday Tournament sponsored by The Messenger, had plans to pay in the Alabama-Florida Shootout against Pleasant Home, Florala and three schools from Florida.

Last minute scheduling conflicts, will keep the Eagles inside the state of Alabama this weekend, but not off the hardwood.

Goshen will make the near 90 minute trek down US Highway 231 to Dothan and square off with the Providence Christian Eagles.

Goshen head coach Johnny Mitchell, who has been a coach at the high school level in Alabama for over two decades, said that Providence does things different than the majority of high school teams.

“The run a Princeton type offense, with a lot of curls, back door cuts and three point shots. They are very well coached, and really fine looking basketball team.”

The game is a make-up game, as the teams were scheduled to play earlier in the season, but had to cancel.

Goshen was seemingly gaining momentum over the last few weeks, before getting hammered by Pike County 53-29 in the tournament finals last week.

“We were getting better defensively until that last game,” said Mitchell. “We still aren’t putting up points the way we need to, and we need to improve our basketball IQ.”

The match up with Providence is the last game before the beginning of area play.

Mitchell feels that a win against PCS could get the season on track.

Goshen will open area play next Tuesday against New Brockton, a team similar to the Eagles.

“New Brockton is kind of like us,” said Mitchell. “The have played well at times and struggled at others. That game will be a big one for both teams.”

Although the season hasn’t been what the players or coaches wanted to see happen, Mitchell said it hasn’t affected the kids attitudes.

“The player’s attitudes are some of the best I have ever been around,” said Mitchell. “They come out every day and work the tails off, and try to get better. We will get things going.”