For the first time ever, the Gulf Shores girls’ basketball team is one of four teams remaining in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Class 5A state tournament. The Dolphins hit the road on Tuesday ahead of their 6 p.m. matchup with Scottsboro on Wednesday in Birmingham.

Legacy Arena is once again playing host to the AHSAA Basketball State Finals where the Class 5A championship game is set for Saturday, March 2, at 9 a.m., with Jasper and Brewbaker Tech in the other semifinal.

If you’re traveling from Baldwin County to cheer on the Gulf Shores Dolphins, here are a few things to include in your gameday preparations.

Tickets

Fans are encouraged to purchase physical tickets at the gate for $13 which will grant entry to all of the day’s eight scheduled games. Digital tickets are available only through Ticketmaster for $17.22.

Parking

Legacy Arena at Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center features paid public parking around the building as well as two parking decks. Those lots are also handicap accessible.

Arena info

The arena enforces a clear bag policy where all bags must be smaller than 12” x 12” x 6” dimensions. Outside food or drink, artificial noisemakers and flags, among other items, are also prohibited. Acceptable items include good sportsmanship, an appetite for basketball and cheers for your team.

Walk-through metal detectors will also greet attendees before they enter the building where large metal objects and approved seat cushions will be placed in containers on screening tables. An estimated arrival time 30 minutes earlier than normal is suggested by the AHSAA.

Live stats/streaming

If you are unable to make the trip to Birmingham for Wednesday’s 6 p.m. tipoff, the National Federation of High School Sports Network will broadcast the game to its subscription-based audience. During the game, live stats from the AHSAA can be followed at https://statb.us/b/520528.

How they got here

Facing a nine-point deficit at halftime of the South Regional Finals, it looked like Gulf Shores might not survive and advance. But a 6-0 run out of intermission quickly changed the scoreboard and the Dolphins went on to secure a 54-44 win over Eufaula Tigers on Feb. 21.

Coastal Alabama signee Maya Griffin led the way with 24 points and 4 steals and was named MVP of the regional tournament. Senior classmate Maggie Myers registered 11 points in the regional finals, including 3-of-3 shooting from 3-point range, and 5 assists to also earn a spot on the All-Tournament team.

Final Four preview

For the sixth straight season, Gulf Shores opened the state tournament as an area champion. The Dolphins opened the bracket with a 47-16 win over Rehobeth before a 45-38 win over St. Paul’s in the regional semifinals.

Gulf Shores will enter the state semifinals on a nine-game winning streak with a 29-6 overall record. The Dolphins’ last loss came on Jan. 15 to Florida’s Pine Forest, 54-42.

The Franklin County Rebels from Tennessee serve as the lone common opponent between Gulf Shores and Scottsboro according to MaxPreps. The Dolphins earned a 58-37 win over Franklin County on Dec. 29, 2023, but the Wildcats split their two games with the Rebels with a 50-47 loss on Nov. 18, 2023, before a 57-52 win on Dec. 8, 2023.

Gulf Shores also owns a better record in games played at neutral sites with a 4-2 mark compared to Scottsboro’s 3-3 record.