FAIRHOPE—The Lady Pirates took a big 44-36 Class 6A, Area 3 win over visiting Daphne Wednesday, but had to fend off a challenge from neighboring rival Daphne.

“This was a big win for us,” said Fairhope coach Tori Johnson. “We only have two area games left now, against Robertsdale at home and another meeting with Daphne on the road, so we need to finish strong. We need to pick up the pace right now. We need to keep improving on rebounding, crashing the boards and be more aggressive going after the basketball."

Kaylyn Bivins led FHS with 12 points as the Lady Pirates pulled away in the back half of the fourth quarter. Daphne’s Brinesha Mason led all with a game-high 13 points and Victoria Mason added 10 for DHS.

Daphne coach Terrance Pinkney was disappointed in the finish.

 "We had a lack of energy tonight,"  he said. "We had a lack of hustle, and we were just not playing Trojan basketball."

Fairhope held a three-point (30-27) lead at the half and could not extend it until mid-way into the fourth period when Sidney White sparked a 9-0 Fairhope run to close out the win.

Fairhope improved to 16-7, 4-2 and will see Daphne (7-16, 2-4) again Tuesday in the Jubilee City. Johnson said she expects a typical arch-rival-type atmosphere at the Lady Trojans place.

"Anytime you play a rival game, I think it is very intense. Nothing else matters. Everyone is playing to win."