• Dolphins claim 2015-16 Area 2 title

BAY MINETTE, Ala.— The Gulf Shores Dolphins claimed the Girls CLASS 6A Area 2 Championship for 2015-16 Friday night with a 44-31 win over Daphne at Baldwin County High.

“I am really proud of them,” said Gulf Shores head coach Brittany Brewer. “They have worked so hard. Happy for them and that our journey is not over.”

Kennedy Cronan led GS with 13 points, nine rebounds and five steals. Chloe Roberts added 13 points and five rebounds, Caitlyn Martin had 11 points with seven rebounds and Hailey Thompson scored nine points. The Trojans were led by Krysta Wright with nine and Tia Pickett with seven.

Gulf Shores took a 16-9 lead into the half, but the Trojans rallied in the third with a 13-6 swing to take the lead 19-18 with 2 minutes left in the period which ended 22-22. The ‘Phins then had their best offensive run of the night to outscore Daphne 22-9 down the stretch. At the free throw line GS was 14-for-21 and DHS was 11-of-17.

 “Wasn't a whole lot of offense going on from both sides in the first half,” Brewer said. “And the third-quarter has been our lull period all year. But we just stepped it up when we needed to step it up. I told them anything can happen at tournament time and just keep pushing and not quit. And then they came out strong in the fourth and took advantage of every opportunity.”

Brewer, who is the GSHS head volleyball coach had never coached basketball before at this level.

“Coaching is coaching. I just did my best to motivate and inspire leadership and push them to do their best. We focused on playing solid basketball on offense and defense: read, react and adjust. Really proud of the way they responded in the fourth quarter.”

The second-seeded Dolphins defeated Spanish Fort in the semifinals while Daphne topped No. 1 seed Baldwin County to reach the finals. Gulf Shores improved to 16-10.