DAPHNE, Alabama - The Daphne Trojans picked up their second area victory and handed visiting Baldwin County their first area loss with a 53-47 win over the Tigers Tuesday night at Jubilee Gym.

The Trojans held an eight-point lead 48-40 three minutes into the final period, but Baldwin County closed the gap to trail 49-47 with 1:18 to go in regulation. The Tigers got off two good looks to tie that didn’t fall before a rebound by Daphne’s Chris Sain appeared to seal it for the Trojans. An inbound violation, however, turned possession back over to the Tigers at mid-court with 18.0 seconds left in the game. But a steal by DHS forward Devonte Young forced a foul to stop the clock and send the junior to the line with 16.2 seconds left. Young made both for a 51-47 DHS advantage then made a big block (his fifth) to electrify the home crowd. Bradley Nero then made a pair at the line for the final score.

Ronnie Davis led Daphne with the game-high of 19 points, Nero had 11, Sain eight, Taylor Boyd seven and Young finished with five points and five boards to go with his five blocks. The Tigers’ balanced attack was led by Andre Cox with 14 points, Xavier Dortch who added 12 and Montez Brown with 11.

“We’ve been getting better with every game we have played in,” said Daphne head coach Cedric Yelding. “Any time you get a win against Baldwin County High School, you must have played pretty well. They are always tough on the road or at home and coach (Lorenzo) Hunter (BCHS head coach) knows how to win. So this is a good win and we are off to a good start, 2-0 in the area. The guys are working hard together, working for each other as a team. I’m really proud of the way they fought off that late run they (BCHS) put together. We played pretty good defense. Devonte made some big plays under the basket. He's been playing with intensity and getting up off the floor like that and making five or six a night. Tonight he got the crowd into it and we appreciate the fans who came out on a cold night like this. Lonnie hit some nice outside shots for us and Bradley Nero made a big difference. Taylor is doing a good job, too. I like we’re getting quality play with different people. It keeps us fresh and energized. But we need to work on turnovers. We’re still making too many. Tonight we did a good job of creating some but didn't capitalize on as many as we should. But I like where we're at for the most part. We just have to keep on working hard together.”

Baldwin County led 17-14 after the first eight-minute period but lagged a point 26-25 at the half. Davis started the third quarter with a bucket, an inbound steal and a 3-pointer to extend the DHS lead to 31-25. Cox countered with a trey and a steal-and-score layup but the overall swing was DHS 16, BCHS 9 and a 42-34 Trojan lead to start the final frame.

Hunter said his team played hard but not as well as they are able.

“I think in part the guys in purple just wanted it more tonight,” he said. “I think that sums it up. Coach Yelding did a good job and they were, maybe, more motivated. I mean we always take these games seriously. But we missed too many opportunities. We played hard in spurts and had a chance to win the ball game several times. Had a chance to tie it at the end several times. We made them turn it over, but then we would turn it right back. Need to do a better job taking care of the ball. Weren’t short on desire, but I know these guys and they can do better. They are frustrated right now with losing but I have to like that. Because, if it doesn't hurt, then we have a problem. We are progressing, but these guys still need to form their own identity as a team. Their own team. Nights like this can hurt and we can let it keep hurting us or we can learn from it, get back to work, and turn it around.”

Daphne improved to 4-4, 2-0 in 6A, Area 3 while Baldwin County dropped to 5-5, 3-1. Daphne will host LeFlore Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The Tigers will play at Foley Monday in their annual Coaches against Cancer game. Coach Hunter of BCHS and his brother Shumbe Hunter, Foley’s head coach, started the fund-raiser/awareness game last year in memory of their mother who lost her battle with the disease. Baldwin County will host LeFlore Tuesday at 7 p.m.