With both sides still missing players due to football action, the Chelsea Hornets and Briarwood Christian Lions tangled in basketball last Thursday night.

But unlike the last time these two schools met in football, this night in varsity basketball to start the 2006-2007 season, belonged to Briarwood, which came away with a 71-53 win.

Michael Napp, first year head basketball coach for Chelsea, however, did get in a little extra duty coaching the boys junior varsity to 37-33 win over Briarwood to start the night.

In varsity action, Wesley Lynen and Austin Thames led the Lions with 20 points each.

But Briarwood head basketball coach Chris Laatsch went into action against the Hornets

missing Nathaniel Carlson, Bentley Windle, William Hoke and Morgan Bandy, who Coach said will play a big part for the Lions.

Those players, along with Brett Basik and Will Tumlin were absent due to football action.

The Lions ended last season 18-13 and made it to the state playoffs.

Laatsch said he had a lot of sophomores who saw a lot of minutes and who had never played in a varsity game last Thursday. &8220;I was real proud of our young guys stepping up and handling the pressure,&8221; he said.

The Chelsea Hornets were led by Rod Macon with 23 points and Matt Wooten with 19 points.

But Chelsea was also absent the services of players due to football, among whom included Davin Palmer, David Strider and Jason Thurman.

Napp, said Chelsea played exceptionally hard and with a lot of determination. But he said, &8220;The truth is we&8217;re not ready to guard what they (Briarwood) do real well yet. And it was a great learning experience for us.&8221;

He said if his team maintains its attitude and work ethic at every practice and game, &8220;We&8217;re going to be where we want to be when it really counts.&8221;