Cullman's Lawson Schaffer puts on an Alabama hat Thursday in the high school lecture hall to declare his commitment to the Tide. The senior hoopster also had walk-on invites from Auburn and UAB, as well as scholarship offers from Division I Furman and too many D-II and JUCO schools to count.

Lawson Schaffer has officially reached the scoring column on the college stage.

The Cullman High alum and Alabama walk-on notched his first points as a freshman Saturday at Coleman Coliseum, sinking a corner 3 just before the buzzer against SEC power Kentucky.

The Tide (9-5, 0-2) kept it close early in the second half before losing to the Wildcats 77-61.

“It’s truly a blessing. I never thought my first college points would come against Kentucky,” Schaffer told The Times Saturday night. “I’m lucky to have a coach like coach (Avery) Johnson who gives me the opportunity to play.”

Based on what Johnson said about Schaffer on his most recent weekly show, it sounds like the opportunity was well-deserved.

“We like to have fun sometimes, especially with Lawson. He’s been a good trooper,” he said. “Lawson Schaffer has just been unbelievable in terms of the way he leads our scout team …”

Mentions of Schaffer on social media started skyrocketing only seconds after his big moment. It didn’t take long for his phone to blow up with plenty of love from his friends and family back at home.

“As always,” he said. “That’s why Cullman is the greatest.”

Fellow former Bearcat Baylee Johnson collected 15 points and three assists in her latest start for UAH on Saturday.

The Chargers were edged by Union 89-85 to drop to 7-6 overall and 4-5 in Gulf South Conference play.