HS hoops update: Teams begin area play
Many of the local high school basketball teams started area play last week and had mixed results.
BRIARWOOD
The Briarwood Christian School basketball teams opened Class 5A, Area 8 play at Sylacauga on Tuesday. The Lady Lions (6-8) picked up a 46-23 win, behind 15 points from Morgan Hutchinson. The boys team (8-6) did not have the same success, falling 81-74. Michael Hiers (31 points) and Zac Nuyt (21 points) contributed huge efforts in the defeat.
This week, weather permitting, Briarwood is scheduled to host Calera on Tuesday night. The Lions will host Moody on Friday night in an area matchup and they will travel to Dallas County on Saturday.
CHELSEA
The Chelsea High School basketball teams played in three games last week, including the Class 6A, Area 8 opener.
The boys team improved to 11-10 overall with a solid week. The Hornets knocked off Gardendale, 48-45, on Tuesday in a tight contest. In the final 30 seconds, Tyler Coleman and Jonah Moore knocked down a pair of free throws each, and Moore blocked a shot at the buzzer to preserve the victory.
The Hornets notched an impressive 60-43 win over Pelham on Friday night to open area play. They outscored the Panthers 13-5 in the opening frame and never looked back. Moore scored eight of his team-high 17 points in the final period, and Coleman scored 10 of his 13 in the frame.
Chelsea played Calera on Saturday and gave up a halftime lead in a 57-53 loss. Sam Towery led the Hornets with 13 points.
The Lady Hornets lost two of three during the week, but its win came against Pelham in the area opener. On Tuesday, they fell to Gardendale, 44-37, but rebounded to notch a thrilling 44-42 overtime victory over Pelham on Friday. In that game, Hope Richard racked up 20 points and eight rebounds. Jordan Parker narrowly missed a double-double, as she notched nine points and 11 boards.
Calera knocked off Chelsea on Saturday, 72-50, as the Lady Hornets fell to 4-16 on the season.
This week, Chelsea plays at Helena on Tuesday in an area contest and hosts Calera on Thursday.
OAK MOUNTAIN
The Oak Mountain High School basketball teams opened up Class 7A, Area 6 play last week and found the going to be difficult.
On Tuesday, the Eagles kicked off area play with a tough 39-31 win over Spain Park. Drew Dunn led the team with 15 points, while Chris Mayweather added 11. They didn’t have the same success on Friday, as they fell to Mountain Brook, 53-39.
On Saturday, Oak Mountain played Cordova in Huffman’s Viking Classic, but fell, 61-49. Blake Hollingsworth led the Eagles with 18 points, while Mayweather scored 14. The Eagles are now 11-7 on the year.
The Lady Eagles did not have the same success, as they fell to 0-2 in area play. On Tuesday, they lost to Spain Park, 58-20. Mountain Brook proved too tough on Friday as well, as the Spartans won, 65-36, to drop the Lady Eagles record 13-6.
This week, Oak Mountain travels to Huffman on Tuesday (weather permitting) and hosts Spain Park on Friday, as it continues area play.
SPAIN PARK
The Spain Park High School basketball teams opened up Class 7A, Area 6 play last week. The girls continued their great form, while the boys team struggled to find its footing.
On Tuesday, the Lady Jags dominated Oak Mountain, 58-20. Claire Holt led the way with 14 points. Sarah Ashlee Barker notched 13 points and Barrett Herring scored 11. They followed that up on Friday with a 60-37 win over Huffman on Friday.
The Lady Jags are now 19-3 on the year and have won 11 games in a row.
The boys team fell to Oak Mountain, 39-31, on Tuesday, despite DayQuan Williams’ game-high 16 points. They fared no better against top-ranked Huffman on Friday, as the Vikings won, 84-55. The Jags are now 5-13 on the season.
This week, the girls team plays Hazel Green on Monday in Huntsville. Both teams resume area play with games against Mountain Brook on Tuesday (weather permitting) and Oak Mountain on Friday.