BAY MINETTE, Alabama—The Baldwin County High Tigers picked up a 54-51 league victory at home Tuesday over a feisty Fairhope Pirate crew which rallied late but fell short in the final seconds to the county-seat 'Cats.

The Tigers built a sturdy eight-point (30-22) lead at the half and took a 12-point (44-32) advantage into the final period. But Rushing Watson and Nate Andrews led an 18-10 Fairhope run closing the BCHS lead gap to one point 50-49 with 51 seconds left in regulation. But despite losing players to injury and fouls, the Tigers steadied at the free-throw line as Xavier Dortch, Andre Cox and Justin Mayes sank 6-of-6 free throws to re-cushion their lead.

Andrews added a pair at the line and Watson stole the inbound pass at midcourt to give the Pirates possession and a chance to tie with 7.9 seconds to go. But Watson’s 3-point attempt rimmed out, Tiger defenders avoided fouls on the put-back attempts and the clock ran out.

Watson scored 24 points and Andrews 14 for Fairhope which went 16-for-30 at the free-throw line. Cox and Dortch each posted 15 points and Mayes finished with 11 for the Tigers who hit 16-of-19 free throws.

BCHS head coach Lorenzo Hunter —who played at Fairhope High— gave credit to his alma mater for effort, but was proud of his Tigers for weathering the Pirate storm.

“We got a little anxious hoping the clock would turn and Fairhope had a lot to do with that,” he said. “Rushing Watson did a heck of a job running his team. He had some big shots that turned the tide for them. Not only made big baskets, but drew fouls and made most of those fouls shots. Anytime you can score three points and get the other guy in foul trouble at the same time you are dangerous to the other team. He helped lift his team and they played a heck of a game. We had them by about 14 points and Fairhope could have hung their heads and quit, but they didn't. And that's a testament to coach (Robbie) Robertson and his players.

“I ended up having to play quite a few guys in the late situation and I think that actually ended up helping us. We finished with five guards on the floor because one big man got hurt (Ewing Mayberry) early and we had three foul out, but we sometimes practice that way because you never know how a game can wind up in the last minute or two and tonight we found ourselves in that very situation. I worried some about rebounding with being smaller but this group even rebounded the ball well. They play with big hearts and that's what you want regardless of physical stature.”

The Tigers improved to 2-3, 1-0 with the win while the Pirates move on to their third game at 0-1, 0-1. The early 6A Area 3 win for BCHS was important but also special for Hunter as his Tigers return this year to the club of 6A Baldwin schools after longtime alignment with Mobile County teams.

“Happy with the guys tonight and of course anytime you get an area win, it's good. But it's early and basketball season is a journey not a day trip. We're very happy to be back in the county league again. Been a long time since we competed in the same area.”

Fairhope head coach Robbie Robertson liked his team’s second-half play and quick-study talents. He said limited practice time with several football players including Andrews and Watson only joining the team last week was a factor.

"We had a chance there at the end to tie it the last few seconds. But this is only our second game. Not making excuses. But some guys (football players) have only had three practices and this was kind of like a practice game. Unfortunately it happens to be an area game, but I think we have the players who have a lot of solid talent and good, smart basketball heads. And by the second half, we were turning it on a little more and and more and got back in it. So I think we showed ourselves we can play together, we just need more time together and continue to get better everyday.”

BCHS travels to play at Robertsdale Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Fairhope will host the Tigers Dec. 7 at 6 p.m.