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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

MONTEVALLO – The Briarwood Christian Lions got off to a blazing start to the season as they defeated their county foe the Montevallo Bulldogs 75-9 on Thursday, Nov. 9 at Montevallo High School.

Briarwood set the tone from the opening quarter as Emma Kerley sank a pair of 3-pointers to record eight points for the quarter and Ann Tatum Baker kicked off her campaign with a six-point opening period.

Combined with a strong defensive effort, the Lions led 20-2 at the end of the first and continued to lead through the end of the contest.

Baker got into double figures in the second quarter with four field goals to give her nine for the quarter and 17 for the game. That led the way for Briarwood as Sasha Munikar contributed five points during the second and Grace Garrett made a couple of baskets as well to add to her total.

Montevallo wouldn’t get on the board during the quarter until a Zabdy Perez buzzer beater to end the half, leaving the Lions up 43-4 going into the locker room.

Briarwood wouldn’t let up in the third quarter as Kerley and Garrett took over. Kerley scored a trio of 3-pointers as part of an 11-point quarter and Garrett tacked on eight points to get herself into double figures for the evening as well.

Perez got some offense in at the other end of the floor, scoring five points in the third. However, the Lions still led 72-9 at the end of the third quarter.

From there, Baker and Kerley got some rest down the stretch as the game settled down in the fourth quarter. A Munikar 3-pointer represented the lone points from either side during the fourth as Briarwood sealed the 75-9 opening night win.

In all, four Lions hit double figures in the win. Kerley led the way with a game-high 25 points, Baker had 15 points in just one half, Garrett earned 14 points and Munikar added 12 points.

For the Bulldogs, Perez scored seven of her team’s nine points.

Briarwood will hit the road for a tough test as it faces Class 7A Huntsville on Monday, Nov. 11 at 4:30 p.m.

Montevallo will also be in action on Veterans Day as it hosts the Brookwood Panthers on Monday, Nov. 11 at 3:30 p.m.