DAPHNE, Alabama — The Toros of Spanish Fort took a 51-44 win at Bayside Academy Thursday to avenge an overtime loss to the Admirals early in the season.

The score stayed close most of the game until Spanish Fort (22-6) produced a significant 10-point, 35-25 lead after three quarters. But Bayside (15-11) defended their home court on senior night with a comeback run to edge ahead 39-37 capped by five-straight free throws by Geoffrey

Stinebaugh about three minutes into the last period. Tied 41-41 with 3:09 left, back-and-forth surges kept it close and exciting until the Toros retook the lead for good 44-43 with 59 seconds left in regulation. SF added seven from the line to the Admirals’ one to close out the scoring.

Stinebaugh — who passed the 1,000 point career mark on Jan. 10 at home against Washington County — had a game-high 17 points for BA. Fellow Admiral senior Grahm Barnard added 10.

Spanish Fort’s 6-foot-10 center Jaleel Cousins finished with 16 points while Danny Rose added 11 for the Toros.

“We were able to hang onto the lead in the game,” said Spanish Fort head coach Dru Powell. “Bayside Academy made a run like they always do, they have a great team. Coach (Ralph) Watson does a super job with those guys, they shoot the ball so well. But our guys were able to sustain the lead.”

Bayside head coach Ralph Watson said his team needs some kind of new or different offensive strategy to spark them against bigger teams like the Toros. 

“We have to get better at executing on offense,” he said. “We have to get more in sync on offense and that’s my responsibility. We need to get in a little bit better of a rhythm. We were down 35-25 at the end of the third quarter but we took the lead at one point after that. The thing was that Spanish Fort made plays at the end and my hats off to them. They made the plays and we didn’t.”

Spanish Fort won its regular-season area schedule and so will host the Boys 5A Area 2 tournament Friday at 7:30 p.m. against Gulf Shores. The finals are set for Feb. 13 at 6 p.m.

In Bayside’s 3A Area 1 Boys tournament, Clarke County will be the host team. The Admirals will play Washington County at 5:30 p.m. Friday. The finals are set for Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at CCHS in Grove Hill.