By AUSTIN FRANKLIN / Special to the Reporter

NORTH SHELBY – Led by their senior starting five, the Briarwood Lion’s varsity girls routed the Dora Bulldogs by a final score of 70-28 on senior night.

Coming into the game with a 16-8 record, the Lady Lions came into the game against Dora not just hoping to honor their seniors with a victory, but to better position them for the post-season.

Both of those goals were met early when Briarwood’s transition offense was perfectly complimented by its full court pressure defense, resulting in a twenty-one point lead at the end of the first quarter.

Briarwood’s offense was headlined by senior guard Shelly Proctor who consistently cut through lanes to find easy baskets in transition, she finished was a game high 22 points. Dora’s Madison Clayton attempted to fuel the Bulldog’s offense, finishing with 11 points, but ultimately the team’s inability to limit turnovers doomed Dora early on.

When Dora’s defense was able to slow down the Briarwood attack, the Lions were able to create open looks through high screens that Dora could not find a way to overcome resulting lead for the Lions of 41-17.

The second featured a similar dynamic with Molly Mckenzie throwing half-court lobs to Proctor in transition for lay-ups. The defense of Ellie Terence and Jennie Reese pressured Dora to take bad shots, as Briarwood’s defense consistently smothered the Dora attack.

In addition to sending their seniors out on a high note, Briarwood made a case that when their offense is clicking they can beat anyone in the area.

After the game, head girls’ coach Jim Brown spoke about his seniors and the experience they play with.

“This is a group that has been involved with our program, most of them, for six years and this was a great way to send them out,” he said. “We still have several games to go, a full slate next week, but this was a nice night. Five seniors on this team and usually that means we’ve had a pretty good season.”