A season played with a lot of heart ended for the Tigers Wednesday night.

The Red Wing boys’ basketball team defeated Albert Lea 75-45 Wednesday at Red Wing.

The Tigers struggled somewhat in the first half to sink their shots.

“The ball didn’t want to go in the basket right away, so we got down right away,” said Albert Lea coach Stan Thompson. “It was a really physical, physical game both ways.”

The Tigers quickly turned the situation around, though, when senior guard Jake Thompson shot a half-court buzzerbeater to end the first half.

The shot sparked a lively second half for the Tigers, with them scoring 27 points to the Wingers’ 30.

“They didn’t quit,” Stan Thompson said. “They’re definitely role models for the younger kids growing up. … I’m really proud of them.”

The loss brings Albert Lea’s final season record to 1-26 overall and 0-22 in the Big Nine Conference.

“The record doesn’t reflect it, but a lot of games were close,” Stan Thompson said.

Jake Thompson led the Tigers offensively with 18 points, and also contributed a rebound, an assist and two steals.

Senior guard Zach Romer was next with eight points for Albert Lea; with Jake Kilby, Denzel Acha and Jack Buendorf tacking on four points each; and Jared Schmidt adding three points; and both Parker Smith and Nate Nelson putting up two points a piece.

“Every single one of them can say they gave 100 percent,” Stan Thompson said. “They just kept fighting. That speaks a lot to their character.”

While this season was Stan Thompson’s first year at the helm for the Tigers, he said he has coached some of the players on and off since they were in fourth grade.

“It’s been a long journey with them,” he said. “It’s a great group and we had a ton of fun and they made it really special. … I couldn’t ask for a better group to have.”