Not too long ago his sprained ankle was in a cast, and not many people expected Ben Woodside to play in the first-ever Tiger Classic Basketball Tournament.

He played, all right. He played more than all right.

The 6-foot junior guard, who came off the bench to tally 26 points in a semifinal victory over Spring Grove, lit it up for 35 Saturday night as Albert Lea held off Bethlehem Academy 63-58 in the boys’ championship game.

The Tigers improved their record to 5-2 with their third consecutive victory, and Woodside was named the tournament’s most valuable player while joining teammate Tyler Young on the all-tournament team.

It was a team effort that kept the title at home, according to Albert Lea coach Matt Addington.

&uot;I was extremely proud of our efforts,&uot; said Addington. &uot;We really came together and played our best game of the season against an extremely talented, physical, well coached team.&uot;

Franz Boelter, the Cardinals’ longtime head coach, registered his 400th career victory the previous night, and Addington expected a battle in the final.

&uot;It lived up to the billing,&uot; said Addington. &uot;It was a heck of a game.&uot;

It was extremely close through the first half, with the Tigers leading 13-9 after one quarter and 21-19 at the intermission. Albert Lea took a 43-34 advantage into the fourth but could not pull away as the Cardinals repeatedly sent the Tigers to the free-throw line. Woodside and Ryan Moore hit key free throws down the stretch.

Twenty-three of Woodside’s 35 points came in the second half. Young finshed with eight points and nine rebounds. Tom Munden scored eight, Moore four, Jordan Skophammer three, Mike Behrends three, Stephen Thorn two. Behrends had eight rebounds.

&uot;We have to feel pretty good about what we did,&uot; said Addington. &uot;It’s a win we can be proud of, but we need to continue to build.&uot; The Tigers’ next game is Friday at Rochester Mayo.