ROBERTSDALE—Neither rain, nor sleet, nor rumors of a little snow could keep the Golden Bears in non-region hibernation any longer. The 6A Area 3 champion Robertsdale Golden Bears claimed the 6A sub-region title Saturday with a come from behind 61-56 home court win over Area 4 runner-up Daphne.

Despite establishing an early lead and holding back several Robertsdale scoring runs throughout most of the game, the Trojans could not stop the final Bear surge and failed to convert enough points to reclaim the lead.

DHS led by three at the half and again at the end of three periods with a 41-38 edge. But by midway into the fourth quarter, RHS was leading 48-45. But a three-pointer by Joe Menefee tied the score at 48-48 with three minutes to go.

From that last game-tied point, RHS outscored DHS11-8 and moved on to regionals. In the last minute and a half, RHS hit 11-of-14 at the line and DHS 4-of-6. RHS advanced on with a 21-11 record. DHS ended 2009-10 at 10-20.

"The key was just that we never gave up," said RHS coach Marshall O. Davis. At one point we were 10 points down. I could see in their eyes they wanted to give up but I told them not to give up. You just concentrate on our goals. Our goals from the start of the year were a 20-win season, an area championship and getting to the sweet 16. I'm proud of them all for getting that done."

Daphne coach Cedric Yelding was disappointed that his team had troubled keeping a lead all year.

"It was the same old song I've been singing all year long. We have to learn to compete when folks make runs on us. They challenged us right before half-time, kind of like the Baldwin County game the other night, and we just steadily went backwards. When they made a run we stepped back and kind of watched. You have to keep moving and playing."

Brandon Ellis led RHS and the game with 19 points, Kent Langham added 15 and Quenton Evans 14 for the Bears. Starling King led DHS with 15, T.J Yeldon 10 and Joe Menefee with eight. RHS held Michael Hobbs to just four points.

RHS faced Theodore yesterday in the first round of the regional playoff. Scores were not in at press time.

GIRLS

Robertsdale 59,

Baldwin County 54

ROBERTSDALE – Four Robertsdale Lady Bears scored in double figures in a 59-54 win over Baldwin County’s Lady Tigers in a 6A sub-regional on Saturday.

Shelby Trotter led the Lady Bears with 16 points, while Sheila Dailey and Ciaria McMillian had 14 each and Kiaria McMillian had 10 in the win.

Latreka Jenkins led Baldwin County with 14 points, while Brittany Hadley had 10 points in the loss.

Robertsdale advanced to play in a regional game at the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell Center on Tuesday morning. Scores and statistics were not available at press time.

– Eric Mann, Sports Coordinator