SPANISH FORT – The four-seed Gulf Shores Lady Dolphins nearly upset top-seed Spanish Fort in the first round of the Class 5A Area 2 girls tournament on Thursday at Spanish Fort.

The Lady Dolphins, who had not beaten Spanish Fort this season, took a lead to start the second half and held it until the 4:00 minute mark in the fourth period before falling to the Lady Toros 46-39.

“Our girls played phenomenal,” Gulf Shores head coach Rhett Tranchina said. “They played with tremendous heart. Our two seniors (Aleesha Frischman and Ally Dicks) really wanted to win and that carried over to the way the rest of the team played. They played with all their hearts tonight.”

Spanish Fort took a 7-2 lead by the end of the first period. The Lady Toros extended the lead to 11-2 in the second period before Gulf Shores went on a 12-3 to tie the score at 14 by halftime.

Gulf Shores led by as many as seven points in the third period.

Spanish Fort took the lead with four minutes left in the game on a two-point basket from Terra Reeves. Nikki Riley hit a three pointer on Spanish Fort’s next possession. The Lady Toros did not trail for the rest of the game.

“I think we came out and overlooked Gulf Shores tonight,” Spanish Fort head coach George Brown said. “I kept telling them that Gulf Shores is feisty and plays hard. Coach Tranchina does a good job with them. All the credit goes to Gulf Shores, they played hard tonight.”

Reeves led Spanish Fort with 19 points, six rebounds and six steals. Elissa Vandewaa had 12 points, five assists and five steals.

Gulf Shores’ Megan Davis led all scorers with 21 points.

Spanish Fort (21-6) advanced in the area tournament and will play Vigor for the tournament championship today at 2 p.m.