FAIRMONT – For the second game in a row, the Albert Lea High School boys’ basketball team faced adversity.

Tuesday, January 23, 2001

FAIRMONT – For the second game in a row, the Albert Lea High School boys’ basketball team faced adversity.

The Tigers overcame it again.

Starting the game without two injured starters and finishing it with three starters fouled out, the ALHS boys pulled off a remarkable comeback while rallying for a 67-63 nonconference victory at Fairmont Monday night.

&uot;I think it will be one of the most memorable games these kids have ever had,&uot; said Tigers coach Jason Bakke. &uot;I’m very happy for them to see that it pays to never give up. When the chips are against you, you never give up.&uot;

The Tigers didn’t, despite trailing most of the night.

Albert Lea led 10-8 at the end of the first quarter but was behind 23-21 at halftime and 41-35 after three quarters. The Cardinals led by as many as 12 points.

The Tigers, meanwhile, were without injured starters Nick Cunningham and Matt Ladwig, both first team All-Area players last year. Starters Chris Rebelein and David Dahl spent a lot of time on the bench in foul trouble.

Several players helped pick up the slack, led by freshman Ben Woodside. He scored 21 points before fouling out, including 14 in the fourth quarter. Nine of Woodside’s fourth-quarter points came on three-point baskets.

Kyle Schrad and Josh Kasper also hit threes in the final period while Kevin Peterson sank a pair of key free throws. The Tigers were 9-for-11 from the line in the fourth quarter, 18-for-25 for the night.

Rebelein finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. Kasper scored 16. Dahl had four steals and three points.

The Tigers, who snapped a seven-game losing skid against Winona last Thursday, improved to 3-7. They travel to Mankato West this Thursday for a Big Nine game.