Briarcrest Boys Basketball Advances to State Tournament

Memphis-area high school basketball standouts shine in Week 16 playoff action.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Briarcrest Christian School boys basketball team defeated Baylor 55-53 on February 28, 2026 to advance to the Division II-AA state tournament for the fourth consecutive year. This victory highlighted a week of standout performances by Memphis-area high school basketball players during the 16th week of the 2025-26 season.

Why it matters

High school basketball is a point of pride for many Memphis communities, and the annual state tournament is a highly anticipated event. Briarcrest's continued success demonstrates the strength of the school's program and the dedication of its players.

The details

In the Briarcrest-Baylor matchup, Briarcrest's Jayden Watkins scored a team-high 18 points, while Baylor's Ethan Rucker led all scorers with 22 points. The win secured Briarcrest's spot in the upcoming state tournament, where they will look to build on their recent run of success.

  • The Briarcrest-Baylor game took place on February 28, 2026.
  • Briarcrest has now advanced to the state tournament for the fourth consecutive year.

The players

Jayden Watkins

A standout player for the Briarcrest Christian School boys basketball team, Watkins scored a team-high 18 points in the victory over Baylor.

Ethan Rucker

The leading scorer in the Briarcrest-Baylor game, Rucker poured in 22 points for the Baylor team.

Briarcrest Christian School

The boys basketball team from Briarcrest Christian School has now advanced to the Division II-AA state tournament for the fourth year in a row.

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What they’re saying

“We've worked hard all season to get to this point, and I'm proud of the way our team has come together and fought for this opportunity.”

— Jayden Watkins, Briarcrest Christian School Basketball Player

What’s next

Briarcrest will now prepare to compete in the Division II-AA state tournament, where they will look to build on their recent success and make a deep run.

The takeaway

Briarcrest Christian School's boys basketball team has established itself as a consistent powerhouse in the Memphis area, demonstrating the dedication and talent of its players year after year.