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Coach Bobby Kerley gives instruction to Jake Morgan during a practice. Photo by Jessa Pease.
When longtime Briarwood Christian boys basketball coach Chris Laatsch left the school to become the first coach at Helena High School, the Lions didn’t have to look far to find their new coach.
He was one seat over.
Varsity boys assistant coach Bobby Kerley moves from the second chair to the hot seat, taking his first head varsity coaching position. He’s not a stranger to most of the youngsters on his team. He coached his current seniors as the junior high basketball and football head coach. He’s starting his 15th year overall at Briarwood.
“I’m excited,” Kerley said. “I think we’ve got a team that has an opportunity to have a good season.”
Kerley has five seniors on the team and three returning starters plus others with experience from a 14-13 ballclub.
Senior Sam Cargo moves over from the “two” position to run the point in Briarwood’s four-out, one-in dribble-drive motion offense.
“We wanted to put the ball in his hands,” Kerley said. “He’s 6-3, so we think he can be a matchup problem for other teams, and he can play in the post. He sees the floor well, with his height he can see over people when they trap us, and fullcourt presses have been a problem for us. He’s so tall and rangy, we feel like having the ball in his hands will help us. And he may be our best shooter.”
The Lions also return their leading scorer. Junior Justin Brown returns at the “three” after averaging about 17 points a game a year ago. Center Forrest Collier, a physical 6-4 senior, returns inside.
“With these three guys coming back, we should be a good team. Both Sam and Justin have improved from last year, had great summers. And at the ‘four’ is Will Roden and he’s the unsung guy on our team. He didn’t play a whole lot last year but he had a great summer. He’s a great shooter, but really he’s just a great kid. He cares so much about his teammates. Really a hard worker and the kind of guy you say you’re glad he’s on our team.”
Collier’s brother Thomas, a 6-7 junior, will help inside and two transfers, Pierce Merry from Christian Academy in Knoxville, Tenn., and David Corbin from Huntsville’s Whitesburg Christian Academy, join in to provide great depth.
“We’re excited about the overall depth of our team,” Kerley said. “I think it will really help us as the year goes on.”
Kerley believes the Lions will be improved, but they’re in a tough 6A area with John Carroll, Homewood and Pelham. “Those are all great teams with great coaches. But we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
