ST. PAUL &045; It was something coach Karol Hansen waited a long time to say: &uot;We are going to the ship!&uot;

But Hansen’s Albert Lea eighth-grade girls’ basketball team didn’t just go there. They brought it home with them.

The local girls won the championship in the 2003 Minnesota Sports Federation 8th-Grade State Tournament in St. Paul.

“This was a great accomplishment for these kids,&uot; said Hansen. &uot;They have worked very hard, and have put in a lot of off-season time to improve their game. There have been a lot of people that have contributed to the success of these kids. The coaches, the parents, our booster club, and the support the booster club has received from the Elks. The donation the Elks provides to our club helps keep the programs strong.&uot;

Albert Lea’s first state tournament opponent was from Little Falls.

Despite being down 15-10 at halftime, the girls came back strong to send it into overtime.

In overtime, Cara Thorn converted two key free throws to help the Tigers defeat Little Falls 29-27.

The Tigers then faced Blaine, and were again in a situation they have not been used to, trailing 23-22 at the end of the third quarter.

Coach Hansen told the Tigers that, “They had 7 minutes of game left, and to get out there and play Tiger Basketball.”

That is just what the locals did. Niki Hendrickson and Liz Thompson were sent to the free-throw line and were able to convert their shots as Albert Lea won 30-29.

The Tigers then faced Coon Rapids and dominated the floor offensively and defensively with an easy 31-20 victory. Chelsea Barrett came off the bench to go 4-for-6 from the charity stripe and Jaclyn Rehmke did a nice job of handling the ball for the Tigers.

The victory had its down side, though, as the Tigers would face the rest of the tournament without Leah Walters who went down with an ankle sprain.

The win put the girls in the semifinals against St. Cloud.

Coach Hansen sat the girls down and talked to them about the “V” formation.

“By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds at least 71-percent greater flying range, than if each flew on its own,&uot; Hansen told the players. &uot;When one gets tired, it rotates to the back and another takes point and makes noise to the others to keep them going.”

Explained Hansen, “My point was to let the kids know they are all part of the team, whether they are on the floor or not. What makes this group such a great group of kids is the support that the team receives from the bench. We had to have the loudest bench, and group of fans at the tournament. It makes a difference to the kids on the floor, hearing the support from their teammates.”

After two very tight and intense games, Hansen informed the girls that, “This game is no different than any other game. Go out there and do you what you do best. That is all anyone can ask of you.&uot;

With 4 seconds left on the clock at the end of the first quarter, Hansen called a time out. People were asking why would she call a time out with only 4 seconds. What can they do? What can they do indeed.

Hansen drew up an out-of-bounds play. With Hendrickson taking the ball out at mid-court, she passed in to Thorn. Thorn used her screen and drove away from the basket. With Thompson coming up to set a back screen for Hendrickson, Hendrickson flew to the basket and received a quick pass from Thorn for two points.

“That’s what these kids can do with only 4 seconds left!” Hansen commented.

Again teamwork was shown at the end of the third quarter. Wilson, bringing the ball down the court with only 6 seconds left, looked to Vietze and fed her the ball for a three-pointer.

Everyone contributed to the victory, with Tatum Roberts coming off the bench to add two points for the Tigers and Elyce Rehmke, Jordan Malimanek and Mariah Howe playing strong defensively as Albert Lea won 25 – 17.

Finally, Hansen was able to shout her long-awaited words: “We’re going to the ship!”

The championship game was a rematch of the first game with Little Falls. The teams very evenly matched and took turns with the lead throughout the game.

With the game tied and only 48 seconds on the clock, Hansen called the girls in. She told them to pass the ball around until there was about 30 seconds on the clock and then take the ball to the hoop. Thorn, Kat Ladwig and Hendrickson kept the ball out at the top of the key and, with 29 seconds left, Thorn dished the ball off to Hendrickson who converted for two points.

The Tigers pressed Little Falls, which sent up a desperation shot to send the game into overtime.

Albert Lea then went ahead by six, on a three-pointer by Thompson and Ladwig converting three of four from the charity stripe as Albert Lea won 41 to 35.

Free throws were a again a key with Wilson and Ladwig converting their shots and Thompson making nine of 18 for the game.

Totals for the weekend: Ladwig 13 points, 2 assists, 6 steals, 2 blocks 9 rebounds; Thorn 13 points, 6 assists, 2 steals, 4 rebounds; Hendrickson 55 points, 4 assists, 3 steals, 26 rebounds; Thompson 33 points, 3 assists, 9 steals 1 block, 22 rebounds; Amanda Arends 5 points, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks 16 rebounds; Jaclyn Rehmke 2 points, 2 rebounds; Tatum Roberts 2 points, 1 steal, 1 rebound; Shelby Vietze 16 points, 2 assists, 3 steals 16 rebounds; Whitney Wilson 6 points, 3 rebounds; Leah Walters 6 assists, 7 steals, 6 rebounds; Chelsea Barrett 4 points, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 rebounds; Jordan Malimanek 1 steal.