For the first time this season, coach Matt Addington felt the Albert Lea High School boys’ basketball team had a sharp mental edge.

Saturday, February 16, 2002

For the first time this season, coach Matt Addington felt the Albert Lea High School boys’ basketball team had a sharp mental edge.

It helped the Tigers get through some rough spots.

The ALHS boys continued their surprising success, completing a season sweep of Mankato East with a gritty 46-37 triumph at ALHS Friday night.

&uot;What we’re working on now is being mentally sharp,&uot; said Addington, whose team improved to 10-9 overall and 8-7 in the Big Nine. &uot;For the first time, tonight I think we really played with a sharp mental edge. I feel like we’re making progress. We’re improving.&uot;

The Tigers were tough defensively, especially in the second half when they made only one field goal.

&uot;I have to really credit our team defense,&uot; said Addington. &uot;It made the difference in the second half.&uot;

After a 12-12 tie at the end of the first quarter, the Tigers took a 31-21 halftime advantage. They led 34-27 after three periods.

Albert Lea led by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter. The closest the Cougars got was 41-37 in the final minute but the Tigers put it away with free throws.

Tyler Young finished with 12 points, all in the first half. He also had a game-high 15 rebounds. Josh Kasper scored 11 points, going 3-for-4 on three-point shots. Ben Woodside had nine points and five steals. Also scoring were Jordan Skophammer with eight points, Steve Thorn three, Jay Link two and Kyle Schrad one. Skophammer had three blocked shots.

Craig Dahl scored 16 for East, which fell to 8-10 overall and 7-7 in the Big Nine.

The Tigers were 14-for-34 from the floor and 13-for-23 at the line, East 15-for-40 and 6-for-13. Albert Lea outrebounded East 29-21 and had eight turnovers to 15 for the visitors.

Addington said the Tigers continued to play their roles well and that it was another team effort.

&uot;Skophammer played big tonight, he was strong inside,&uot; said Addington. &uot;Thorn came off the bench and played a couple big quarters. It’s different guys doing different things when we need it, it’s kids accepting roles. That’s the sign of a good team, guys who step up when they get the opportunity and make those around them better, which is what they did tonight.&uot;

The Tigers play Tuesday at arch-rival Austin, looking to avenge an earlier loss at ALHS.