In a thrilling finish on January 23, 2024, Charlie Caldwell’s last-second shot propelled the Briarwood Christian Lions to a narrow 61-60 victory over the Hueytown Golden Gophers. With just seconds remaining and his team down by one point, quarterback-turned-basketball player Sam Canale made a pivotal play. He caught a lobbed pass at midcourt and quickly spotted Caldwell racing towards the basket. Canale launched the ball over a defender, allowing Caldwell to execute a single-handed layup that sealed the win.
Both teams initially struggled to find their rhythm, with Briarwood holding a slim 11-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Canale set the tone for the Lions, contributing five points, while Caldwell and Drew Mears also found the net. The offense picked up in the second quarter, with Zeke Witt scoring two field goals and converting three of four free throws. Caldwell added five points, including a three-point play, helping Briarwood to a 28-20 halftime advantage.
The contest became more intense in the third quarter, with both teams matching each other’s scoring output at 18 points. Mears emerged as a key player for Briarwood, scoring 11 points during this period. Canale continued to build on his performance, adding six points and pushing the Lions to a 46-38 lead by the end of the third.
The final quarter saw a remarkable turnaround from Hueytown, as they surged to take a 60-59 lead with just moments left on the clock. Witt scored seven points, while Canale added four. Despite this effort, it was Caldwell’s game-winning shot that ultimately defined the match, allowing the Lions to celebrate their hard-fought victory.
Mears led Briarwood with 17 points, while Canale contributed 15 points, Witt added 14 points, and Caldwell rounded out the scoring with 10 points, including his decisive layup. Tory Smith added five points in the first half, contributing to the Lions’ overall performance.
With this victory, Briarwood improved to an overall record of 18-9. The Lions will continue their five-game homestand when they host the Westminster School at Oak Mountain Knights on January 28, 2024, at 19:30. The excitement surrounding Briarwood’s recent performances continues to build as they strive for further success in the season.
