DAPHNE, Ala.—Spanish Fort led 20-16 at halftime at Daphne, but the Trojans came out hot and took their first win  (1-1) 47-36 over the visiting Toros (4-1) who suffered their first loss of the year at Jubilee Trojan Gym Thursday.

Bradley Nero led DHS with 15 points andSpanish Fort’s Quinn Atkinson led all with a game-high 19. Mike James added seven and Lorenzo Fields six for DHS which was 12-of-19 at the free-throw line. Cullen Pierce scored seven for SFHS which was 7-for-12 at the line. 

The Trojans took the lead 22-20 with 5:17 left in the third period on their way to a 10-4 differential over the Toros who went from hot to cold during the break.

Daphne coach Cedric Yelding said his zone defensive scheme took effect early in the second half and turned the tables.

"We were in a man-to-man defense in the first half but we went to the zone in the second half and I thought that slowed Spanish Fort down some, we were able to contain their shooters," said Yelding. "I thought the zone defense was the difference in the game."

SFHS coach Dru Powell said the momentum swung hard Daphne’s way in the third and their pressure made it hard to swing back.

"The start of the second half turned the momentum, it turned the scoreboard obviously," Powell said. "Daphne has a very athletic bunch, they have a good basketball team. Our guys had been playing well and Daphne had a lot to do with the way we played tonight. We have to play a complete game and we didn't play that way in the second half this evening."

Yelding added that his team was hungry for a win after an opening loss to McGill-Toolen Catholic Tuesday.  And a neighboring rivalry helped fan the intensity.

"We always try to play good, strong competition because that’s how you get better. Fortunately there’s no shortage of good teams around,” he said.  “Every night when you match up with a team from somewhere in Baldwin County, it doesn't matter what your record is, you can throw all of that out the window. I'm happy with our win tonight. We still have to come together as a team, we still have to gel and it's easier to come together as a team after a tough win than a hard loss."

Daphne will play in the Robertsdale Thanksgiving tournament starting Monday against Minor at 6:00 p.m. The Toros will hit the road to Lusher Charter School of New Orleans (La.) for a Thanksgiving tournament there.