GULF SHORES – Gulf Shores seniors Brandon Gottfried and Jake Van Sickler combined for 53 points in a 73-61 Dolphin win over Foley on Tuesday night at "The Tank."

Gottfried led all scorers with 32 points, while Van Sickler added 21 in the win.

"I tried everything I could to stop Gottfried and he still had 32 points," Foley head coach Chad Anderson said. "And (Van Sickler) hit about seven threes. Those two are hard to stop."

Gulf Shores head coach Dru Powell said the two, who are a part of a four-player senior class that also includes fellow starters Bryan Beviacqua and Kevin Kelso, are hard to stop when they play well.

"Van Sickler and Gottfried are tough to guard when they both get going," Powell said. "If you stop one, the other one steps up and hurts you. Both guys played very well tonight."

Gulf Shores opened the game on a 14-0 run and finished the first period with a 19-7 lead. Foley's first basket came at the 1:30 mark when Levonta Odoms hit a layup. Malcolm Barnett scored another two-point basket on Foley's next possession, but Van Sickler stopped Foley's mini-run with a three-pointer. The Dolphins never trailed in the game.

"Our guys wanted to come out and play hard," Powell said. "We were fortunate to get an early lead."

Gulf Shores improved to 18-7 in Powell's first season as coach. The Dolphins completed 5A Area 2 play last week, finishing 6-0 in area play.

"I can't say enough about our senior guys," Powell said. "I just wish I had been here all four years with these four guys. They are all very smart players, and I have enjoyed my time with them."

Gulf Shores will play at Robertsdale on Monday at 7:30 p.m. The Dolphins will host the Area 2 tournament starting on Thursday, February 5.

Foley (5-14) will play Escambia (Fla.) on Monday at 7:30 p.m. The Lions will then play in the 6A Area 3 tournament at Robertsdale on Thursday.