Big Nine’s finest

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, March 20, 2002

&uot;Restore the roar&uot; was more than just a motto for the 2001-02 Albert Lea High School boys’ basketball team.

Wednesday, March 20, 2002

&uot;Restore the roar&uot; was more than just a motto for the 2001-02 Albert Lea High School boys’ basketball team. It’s what the Tigers did.

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Guided by first-year head coach Matt Addington, the Tigers had surprising success going 8-10 in the Big Nine and 10-12 overall while taking Section 2AAA champion Waseca to overtime in the section semifinals.

It’s the most success the Tigers have enjoyed in several years, and it was reflected in the all-conference voting. Two Tigers, sophomore Ben Woodside and junior Tyler Young, made the first team while senior Josh Kasper received an honorable mention.

Woodside, a 5-foot-10 point guard, led the Tigers with an average of 17.1 points, 4.7 assists and 4.1 steals per game. He also averaged 3.0 rebounds, shooting 41 percent from the floor and 61 percent at the free-throw line.

&uot;For a sophomore to be a leader and a go-to guy for a team in the Big Nine is an accomplishment in itself,&uot; said Addington. &uot;It’s a credit to Ben’s skill and his work ethic that he’s looked on that way by his teammates.&uot;

Young, a 6-5 forward, averaged 10.5 points and 10.3 rebounds while shooting 61.6 percent from the floor.

Kasper, a 6-foot guard and a three-year varsity player, averaged 10.0 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 51.5 percent from the floor, including 48.3 percent on three-point shots.

&uot;Josh assumed a new role for us this year, going from being a playmaker to more of a true two guard,&uot; said Addington. &uot;He really sacrificed some personal glory for the sake of the team.&uot;

The 2001-02 all-conference team, by school:

– Albert Lea – Ben Woodside, soph.; Tyler Young, jr.;

– Austin – Tony Ball, sr.; Adam Kasper, sr.;

– Faribault – Ross Peroutka, sr.;

– Mankato East – Nate Harstad, jr.;

– Mankato West – Dennis Baker, sr.;

– Owatonna – Andrew Olson, jr.

– Rochester Century – David McAlpine, sr.; Dan Lyons, jr.;

– Rochester John Marshall – Mike Kinsella, sr.; Longar Longar, jr.;

– Rochester Mayo – Sam Bachman, sr.; Tim Porterfield, sr.;

– Winona – Andy Fisch, sr.; Jason Pehler, jr.;

Honorable mention: Albert Lea – Josh Kasper, sr.; Austin – Gavin Henningsen, sr.; Faribault – Travis Krenske, jr.; Mankato East – Mark Rivers, sr.; Mankato West – Jordan Stolp, soph.; Owatonna – Sam McKernon, sr.; Rochester Century – Eric Brown, sr.; Charlie Sowa, jr.; Rochester JM – Kheu Cha, sr.; Winona – David Dreas, soph.; Cory Smith, sr.