Coach Karol Hansen tried something new with the Albert Lea High School girls’ basketball team.

Wednesday, January 23, 2002

Coach Karol Hansen tried something new with the Albert Lea High School girls’ basketball team.

Don’t be surprised to see the Tigers do it again.

&uot;We tried switching our defense depending on what happened on our offensive possession,&uot; said Hansen. &uot;We’ve done it periodically in the past, but this is the first time we’ve stuck to it throughout the whole game.&uot;

And the Tigers won the game handily, defeating New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva 56-35 in a nonconference meeting at ALHS.

&uot;The kids did a real nice job,&uot; said Hansen.

The ALHS kids started strong, leading 22-9 after one quarter and 32-17 at halftime. It was 43-27 at the end of the third period.

&uot;The big one was the first quarter,&uot; said Hansen. &uot;The kids came out pretty hard. That’s something we talked about in pregame, coming out with an attitude and taking control right away.&uot;

Another big factor was the Tigers’ outside shooting, a season-best 7-for-10 from three-point range. Six different players had a three.

&uot;That was a real positive,&uot; said Hansen. &uot;It’s something we haven’t used much until tonight.&uot;

Beth Kolling was the Tigers’ top scorer with 12 points; she also snared a team-high nine rebounds. Jenny Vanderploeg totaled 10 points, five rebounds and three assists, Aubree Page six points and six rebounds, Amy Ravenhorst five points and three steals. Also contributing for the Tigers: Danielle Jacobs, four points; Janelle Vietze, five points; Danielle Rankin, two points; Vanessa Storlie, three points; Jenny Hovendick, six points and five rebounds; Jess Hanson, three points and four rebounds; Ashley Rankin, four assists.

Camille Kyte scored 13 points for the Panthers. Erin Anderson and Jenny Schroeder netted five points apiece, Kelly Jessen four.

Both teams return to conference play Friday, when the 4-10 Panthers host Bethlehem Academy and the 5-8 Tigers face Rochester Century at ALHS.