Briarwood Christian School may have had a late start to the 2010 golf season, but the Lions are quickly making up for missed time.

After sitting out the first month of the season when match-after-match was cancelled due to unplayable conditions on area courses, the Lions have proven they are a contender for the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 5A championship.

Briarwood took another step in that direction April 7 at Eagle Point Golf Club, where the Lions captured the Shelby County boys’ golf tournament championship by five strokes over Oak Mountain.

Briarwood carded a 9-over par 293, while the Eagles shot 14-over par 298.

“We’re hitting it pretty good right now,” said Briarwood coach Jim Brown. “We’ve got a chance against anybody.”

Clay Nolen of Oak Mountain claimed the individual championship at the Shelby County tournament with his 1-under par 70 on the sunny day at Eagle Point.

Senior Matthew Belling led Briarwood with his even par 71, which tied him for second place overall with the Eagles’ Zac Goozee.

“Matthew had a really good day today,” Brown said. “He’s having a nice finish to his career.”

A total of 12 golfers made the Shelby County all-tournament team with rounds of 5-over par 76 or better.

Justin Nolen led Pelham individuals and came in fourth overall with his 1-over par 72.

The Panthers’ Connor Slane finished in a tie for fifth overall along with Briarwood’s Trevor Hightower and Trevor Page after all three golfers finished with a 2-over par 73.

Connor Smith, John Hayden and Matthew Belling of Briarwood, along with Tyler Shope of Chelsea and Taylor Freeman of Pelham, each made the all-tournament team with a 5-over par 76.

Pelham came in third in the team standings with 307 strokes. Chelsea finished fourth with a score of 326. The Oak Mountain “Blue” team carded a 336 and the Briarwood “White” team finished with a score of 340.

Calera finished with 363 strokes. Thompson shot a 407 and Shelby County finished with a score of 411.