Cullman's Oakleigh White goes up for an inside shot during Saturday's semifinal.

HANCEVILLE — Bobby Meyer wearily eyed the scoreboard at Tom Drake Coliseum and didn’t like what he saw.

With just more than four minutes left in Saturday’s semifinal matchup versus Muscle Shoals, Cullman trailed by a seemingly impossible 10 points to a squad which appeared destined for a spot in the Yule Tide Classic championship.

Unfortunately for the Trojans, Lawson Schaffer and Brontae Harris had other plans.

The Bearcat duo combined for 51 points — 28 for Schaffer and 23 for Harris — none more important than the combined 15 points during their team’s spirited run late in the game to pick up an 80-76 victory over Muscle Shoals.

“Our style can dictate us coming back in those situations,” Meyer said. “We got some turnovers and made some shots finally. It was a fortunate win for us.”

Down 74-64, Schaffer drove to the hoop and picked up a three-point play. A Harris 3-pointer on the ensuing Bearcat possession cut the deficit to just four points before a solid basket by the Trojans stretched it back out to six with just more than a minute and a half left to play.

Then came the Schaffer magic.

The senior guard buried a three and instantly transformed into defensive mode. The resulting press resulted in a stolen pass by Seth Swalve — who made a fast pass to Schaffer — standing in the corner for another 3-point attempt.

Onions. Tie game.

“I really can’t tell you what was going through my mind,” he said. “We just started shooting like we know how to. We kept our defensive pressure up. That’s what gave us those shots and the win.”

Added Meyer: “We can make those shots. When a shooter has maximum concentration, a shooter like Lawson is going to make those shots.”

With all the momentum of their side, the Black and Gold took the lead on a Harris putback with 58 seconds remaining in the game. A defensive stand — as well as a pair of free throws by Schaffer — allowed the Bearcats to celebrate the victory.

“This is how you make memories,” Schaffer said. “This is what you talk about later in life. It’s an honor to play in these kind of games. That’s the way we love to play. It’s going to help us down the road.”

The win allowed both Meyer and Schaffer to laugh about the latter’s ill-advised behind-the-back pass in the final seconds of the contest, when Schaffer led a three-on-one fast break then tossed the ball out of bounds trying to find Gage Goodwin.

“I would put it as one of the top 3 stupidest things I’ve ever done on the court,” Schaffer said.

Meyer couldn’t have agreed more.

“It wasn’t a smart play there at the end, no doubt,” he said with a wry smile.

Other contributors were Seth Swalve, 12 points; Jason McAfee, seven; Matt Cofer, four; and Goodwin and Elijah Price, three apiece.

Cullman will take on Holly Pond Monday at 8 p.m.

% Holly Pond 60, Hartselle 46: Austin Smith had 28 points and 10 rebounds in the Broncos’ semifinal victory versus the Tigers on Saturday.

It was Holly Pond’s 12th straight win and its fourth in a row against a Class 6A opponent.

“We came out so flat and you kind of expect it, but you don’t want it to happen at this time of the year,” coach Mitch Morris said. “We were able to come out it. We stayed close in the first half. It wasn’t anything X’s and O’s. It was about intensity.

“It was probably our ugliest game this season, but an ugly win is a win and we’ll take it.”

The 3A No. 2 Broncos (13-2) received contributions from Drew Jones (12 points), Matt Cahoon (12 points), (Bailey Smith, (six points) and Nathan Duke (two points.)

Smith was looking forward to playing another potential 6A opponent in Cullman on Monday.

“We’ve been putting down 6A teams pretty quick,” he said.

Varsity Girls

% Cullman 73, Winfield 56: Baylee Johnson netted 36 points, while teammates Christina Skinner and Oakleigh White dropped in 19 and 14 each, respectively, against the No. 3 team in 3A.

The ‘Cats trailed by six after the first quarter but outscored the Pirates 61-38 the rest of the way to move into the finale on Monday night against Athens.

“I’m very happy,” coach Jonathan Hayes said after the game. “Happy to come out with a win. Baylee played great. Christina and Oakleigh came in with some points and good rebounding, too. There’s a light around the corner.”

Anna Evans and Laura Lindsey added two apiece in the win.

Elkmont Christmas Classic

% Vinemont 57, Lexington 54: Lance Stanley made his first shot of the contest to eclipse 1,000 points for his career and then went ahead and drained the game-winning 3-pointer to beat the buzzer in the Eagles’ win on Saturday.

“He’s a great kid who works hard,” coach Todd Johnson said. “He worked himself open with about three seconds left and hit a 21-footer. Nothing but net.”

In the nightcap, Vinemont fell to Ardmore 59-57 on a tough last-second shot to fall to 10-9 on the season. Stanley netted 20, Trey Waldrep had 11 and Tyler Tucker collected nine.

Hayden Christmas Classic

% West Point 64, Hayden 60: The Warriors advanced to the championship bout with a tight victory over the host Wildcats on Saturday night.

West Point tied the contest with about four minutes to play before surging ahead for the win.

Stats were unknown.