The Albert Lea Tigers fought a valiant battle.

Wednesday, December 12, 2001

The Albert Lea Tigers fought a valiant battle.

The height and talent of the Rochester John Marshall Rockets were just too much to overcome.

Led by 7-foot senior Mike Kinsella, who has teammates standing 6-10, 6-8, 6-8 and 6-5, the Rockets came to town Tuesday night and handed the Tigers a 62-41 loss in a Big Nine boys’ basketball game at Albert Lea High School.

The Tigers, who have shown renewed spark this season under first-year head coach Matt Addington, kept it close in the early going, trailing 12-6 at the end of the first quarter. But the undefeated Rockets extended their lead to 31-16 at halftime and 50-22 after three quarters.

Kinsella, who’s headed to Rice University, finished with 22 points, what Addington called &uot;a lot&uot; of rebounds and at least one dunk.

&uot;He’s the real deal,&uot; said Addington. &uot;We said we weren’t going to let him alone beat us. He just does everything.&uot;

Tyler Young led the Tigers in scoring with 11 points. Josh Kasper scored nine, Ben Woodside and Jordan Skophammer five apiece.

The Tigers, according to Addington, had some struggles offensively as the Rockets played a box-and-one defense on Woodside.

The Tigers were 15-for-40 from the floor, 5-for-16 on three-pointers, and 6-for-13 at the line. John Marshall made six of 13 threes, 22 of 42 field goals and eight of 14 free throws. The Tigers were outrebounded 27-14.

The Tigers, 2-2 overall and 1-2 in the Big Nine, play Friday at Faribault.