By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Writer

HOMEWOOD — One night after falling to Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa in a blowout, the Briarwood Christian boys basketball team bounced back nicely with a 48-46 win over Vestavia Hills on Jan. 3.

The Rebels came out shooting, grabbing a 10-8 advantage through the first quarter. The lead extended to 12-8 to start off the second, but Briarwood took control of the game on a 14-0 run. William Roden kicked the run off with a basket and the and-one shot. Josh Laatsch followed suit with a pair of free throws and then a trio of 3-point shots from Dylan Rizzo, Sawyer McKenzie and Justin Brown gave the Lions a 22-12 lead. Vestavia closed with a 5-0 run, leaving the score 22-17 going into the half.

McKenzie scored the first five points for the Lions in the second half, and the Lions took a 31-23 lead midway through the third.

The Rebels continued to fight back into the ball game, going on a 4-0 run to end the third quarter down 31-27.

The start of the fourth quarter turned into a 3-point contest, with Vestavia Hills’ Spencer Haynes knocking down a three to bring the Rebels within one point at 31-30. McKenzie answered back for the Lions with a three of his own. Josh Laatsch added two, with Justin Brown sinking a three to put the Lions up 39-30. Vestavia’s Michael Morton answered with three for the Rebels.
With time winding down, two Vestavia three’s by Landon Crowder pulled the Rebels within three points at 44-41.

A basket by Thomas Collier and a pair of free throws by McKenzie put the Lions up by five late in the going. Despite a three by Morton, Briarwood held on to take the 48-46 win.

Stats were unavailable at press time, as the Lions will take on Hewitt-Trussville Jan. 3