DAPHNE, Ala.—Adam Nielson hit a last-second 3-point shot to lift Class 3A Bayside Academy’s Admirals from a one-point deficit to a 54-52 win over the visiting Class 6A Foley Lions Saturday. The Lions won the first meeting earlier in the season at Foley and again in the Bay Area Classic tournament.

Spencer Newman led all with 15 Bayside points, William Buhl and Seth Matthews added seven each and Trae Barry had six for the Admirals. Malik Johnson led the Lions with 10 points, Ethan Krause and Zavion Strickland added nine points each and Melo Harris had six for Foley.

“We did better tonight, especially on turnovers,” said Bayside head coach Ralph Watson. “We still have things to work on. This was good a good way to help us prepare for the area games we have coming up. Coach (Shumbe) Hunter does a good job and Foley is always a team that never gives up. They pushed us. I’m —although not happy with how we played at times tonight—I am proud of the effort and how we hung in there.”

Foley led 32-25 at the half and 39-35 after three quarters. Bayside closed to within a point 50-49 with 2 minutes remaining in the final period but the Lions extended and kept the lead until it diminished to three points 52-49 with 29 seconds left. A free-throw exchange and some alternating officiating calls down the stretch left the Admirals with a last-second shot opportunity. Matthews took the inbound but was swarmed at the baseline before passing to Nielson just behind the arc for the finish.   

Hunter said his team is making progress but is always disappointed with a loss.

“Never like to lose of course,” he said. “You can’t sugar coat it. Are we better than we were at the beginning of the season? Yes. But we’re still finding ways to not win. Had too many miscues. We need to sharpen up on some things. Bayside has too many good shooters. If you don’t have a hand in their face at their place, they can make you pay. So I hope we learn from it. We have to find a way to cover the good shots for a full 48 minutes no matter where we play. We did better at our place and in the tournament. But we have to keep getting better. Not there yet.

Each team committed 16 turnovers but the Lions were on at the free throw line making 78 percent (14-of-18) to Bayside’s 54 (8-of-14) percent.