1 of 6

Briarwood’s defense was stout the entire game as the Lions knocked off Altamont by a final score of 41-18. (For the Reporter/Dawn Harrison)

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor

NORTH SHELBY – It may just be two games, but the Briarwood girls’ basketball team remained undefeated this season with 41-18 victory against Altamont on Tuesday, Nov. 27, in front of a home crowd for the first time.

The Lions, now 2-0 this season, have seen the chance to gain confidence early in the season and are seizing that opportunity with great play, specifically on the defensive end.

Strong play on the defensive side of the floor really showed off in this win as Briarwood didn’t allow more than six points in any quarter of the game, and started the game out with a strong first two quarters.

While limiting Altamont to those four points, the Lions were able to use the defense to spur some offense, and while there wasn’t a ton of it, they capitalized to take a six-point lead at the end of the quarter.

A lot of that success was because of Caroline Mays’ five points in the quarter to account for half of her team’s first-quarter total as the Lions took an early 10-4 advantage.

The second quarter proved to be even more of a team effort from Briarwood than the first. While the Lions kept battling hard on the defensive end of the floor, six different players scored in the quarter.

No one player dominated the period, but thanks to the six different scorers and continued pressure from the defense, Briarwood outscored Altamont 12-2 in the period to take a dominant 22-6 halftime lead.

Briarwood had its strongest quarter of the game in the third period thanks to four more points from Mays and an added four points from Jalen Hunter, as the Lions posted 13 points in the frame.

It marked the third quarter they had scored in double digits as a team, while Altamont was held to single digits yet again at six points, which allowed Briarwood to extend its lead to 35-12 heading to the final frame.

Free throw struggles ensued in the final quarter of the game with the two teams combining to go 2-8 from the line, led by Altamont’s 2-6 mark, but in the end it just led to a 6-6 tie in the period, which was more than enough to secure a comfortable win for the Lions by the final score of 41-18.

Hunter led Briarwood with 12 points in the game, while Mays added 10 for two double digit scorers, as they accounted for more than half of the team’s points.

More 280 Reporter

Spain Park advances to first flag football state championship game with overtime win over Hewitt-Trussville

Shelby County Schools receives A on state report card

Briarwood’s Andrew Groves, Caroline Foster win state swimming, diving championships

Hoover City Schools receives A on state report card