Stingy defense helped power No. 9 Fort Dale Academy to a 58-35 win against Northside Methodist Academy Friday night.

The Eagles (14-4, 5-0) held the Knights to just 29 shot attempts, while forcing 29 turnovers, which helped Fort Dale overcome an early deficit.

“I thought we played good defense,” Fort Dale head coach Reggie Mantooth said. “We were able to press them and get some steals.  We did not have a lot of intensity to start the game and I thought we looked a little tired from a tough game the night before against Macon-East.  But we were able to get some turnovers and easy baskets that helped us get started.”

The Knights, who are in their first year of competing in the Alabama Independent School Association, held a slim 8-7 lead after the game’s first eight minutes of play, but the Eagles quickly erased that lead in the game’s second stanza by outpacing the Knights 20-8 to carry a 27-16 lead into the break.

The Eagles put even more distance between themselves and the Knights in the third period by outscoring NMA 17-6. A 14-13 Fort Dale advantage in the final period sealed the win.

All 15 players on Fort Dale’s roster saw action, with eight players scoring at least two points and three players reaching double figures. Chip Taylor led the offensive charge with 14 points, while Tyler Millo added 12 and Wesley Scott chipped in 11. Cam Norman scored nine points in the win.

“Cam and Tyler shot the ball well from the perimeter and that helped us against their zone,” Mantooth said.

Macon East 71, Fort Dale 58

Macon-East Academy defeated Fort Dale 71-58 on Friday night in Cecil.

Millo scored 17 points to lead Fort Dale. Scott and Norman each added 12 and Taylor chipped in 10 points.