Spartans fall to Williams, Woodlawn

Mountain Brook fell to a scrappy Woodlawn team, 63-58, on Tuesday afternoon in the Spartans' final game in the Steel City Invitational.

The Spartans could not buy a shot early on, shooting just 27% in the first half and trailed 37-23 at the halftime break.

The third quarter saw Mountain Brook (10-3) play much better, but was only able to narrow the gap to 51-38 entering the final quarter.

A Sean Elmore three-pointer with 2:21 remaining brought the Spartans to within seven. Elmore got a steal and subsequent layup with 33 seconds to play to also close the gap to seven after a pair of Woodlawn free throws.

Senior Jack Kline did the dirty work for Mountain Brook in the painted area, as he scored 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Elmore was the only other Spartan in double figures with 11, with a trifecta of three-point makes.

Standout freshman Trendon Watford did not enter the game until 11 seconds remained in the first quarter, and played just five minutes in the first half. He did not play in the second half.

UAB signee Javien Williams carried his team on his back, scoring 35 points on 11-of-22 shooiting. He knocked down 9-of-12 from the free throw line. Brandon Bryant added 11.

To wrap up the tournament at Samford's Pete Hanna Center, Mountain Brook fell to Sacred Heart on Saturday and defeated Madison Academy on Monday to walk away with a 1-2 record.

Mountain Brook will participate in the Next Level Hoops Fest next week in Nashville before beginning area play on January 5 at Vestavia Hills.