Red Wing starts quick to down Tigers

Published 1:32 pm Saturday, December 13, 2008

Nothing was working for the Albert Lea boys’ basketball team Friday night in a 89-36 loss to Red Wing in Red Wing.

The Tigers shot 26 percent from the field and 30 percent from 3-point range.

The Wingers dominated the interior with 20 offensive rebounds that led to many second-chance points. The inside dominance allowed Red Wing to cruise to the victory.

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The Wingers (2-2) shot 56 percent from the field. Red Wing got some open looks down low early on and quickly built an insurmountable lead in the first half.

Two minutes into the game, the Wingers went on a seven minute stretch where they went 12-for-17 from the field, many of which came in the paint. The Tigers meanwhile went 4-for-18. Albert Lea shot just 26 percent from the field.

“I think they got easy shots because we didn’t stop the ball very well,” Tigers head coach Chad Feikema said. “We were slow reacting.”

The Wingers had a size advantage inside with 6-foot-11 Isaac Oeltjen, Andy Ahern, a 6-foot-2 forward, and Zach Will a 6-foot-3 inch forward. Ahern led Red Wing with 18 points, Pat Kelly had 16, Zack Will 11, and Evan Malmquist 10. The Wingers had 11 players score in the win.

Colby Strilaeff led Albert Lea with 15 points. Strilaeff was able to find create some scoring off the dribble this time out after settling for three points against Blue Earth in the season opener.

Feikema has worked to change the attitude of the team as it comes off a 1-24 season. For Feikema the team has to gain confidence in order to do so.

“We’ve got to play games with more confidence,” Feikema “Our guys have to start to play like they believe they can win.”

Feikema believes playing at home will boost that confidence. Albert Lea will play its first home game Saturday against Austin.

Albert Lea heads to Sibley Thursday as it finishes its four-game road trip before returning home.

The Albert Lea B-squad lost 48-38 Friday. Cameron Solie had 12 points and Nate Harris added seven points. The ninth-grade A team won its game 50-44. Tyler Wichmann had 13 points and Cameron Hove had 9 for the Tigers. The ninth-grade B team also won, picking up a 50-28 victory. Alex VanVooren had 16 points, Jake Price had 14 points, and Colin Bishop had 11.

Red Wing 89, Albert Lea 36

Albert Lea 19 17 — 36

Red Wing 53 36 — 89

Albert Lea scoring: Colby Strilaeff 15, Damian Montes 4, Josh Eisenbraun 4, Woody Dahl 3, Sean Templeman 3, Aaron Klatt 2, Alik Smed 2, Colton Zuniga 2, Brandon Antl 1.

Field goals: (14-for-54); 3-pointers: (9-for-30); rebounds: 21 (4 offensive); turnovers: 23.

Red Wing scoring: Andy Ahern 18, Pat Kelly 16, Zack Will 11, Evan Malmquist 10, Mitch Earney 9, Nate Kelly 8, Kevin Hayes 8, Isaac Oeltjen 4, Chad Hagar 3, Tony Clemons 2.

Field goals: 56 percent (36-for-64); 3-pointers: 50 percent (7-for-14); free throws: (10-for-13); rebounds 43 (20 offensive); turnovers: 15