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Red Wing thumps rival Faribault in Big 9 Conference tilt

By Mike Randleman, SportsEngine, 12/10/19, 4:15PM CST

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The Wingers got a game-high 23 points from Kyli Nelson, including four three-pointers in the first half.

Red Wing's Kyli Nelson (3) drives the lane on a fast break against Faribault Tuesday night. Nelson had a game-high 23 points in the Wingers 77-31 victory over the Falcons. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Red Wing's Kyli Nelson (3) drives the lane on a fast break against Faribault Tuesday night. Nelson had a game-high 23 points in the Wingers 77-31 victory over the Falcons. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Red Wing has stayed true to form in the face of change this season and so far it has paid off.

The Wingers saw a lot of man-to-man defense on film from Tuesday night’s opponent, Big 9 Conference foe Faribault. The host Falcons (0-5, 0-4) came out in a 2-3 zone, but Red Wing (5-0, 3-0) stuck to its staples of strong perimeter shooting and playing stingy defense to produce a 77-31 road win.

Those staples are what helped Red Wing to a 63-19 record over the last three seasons under coach Jesse Nelson, including a 24-3 mark last season. Nelson, however, took a leave of absence from the position so former varsity assistant and JV head coach Peter Johnson now helms the team.

Johnson has no plans to change the team’s identity, particularly with much of last season’s production back for another run.

“I think having been an assistant with the group before, and all the girls have played for me, I think it’s been a fairly smooth transition,” Johnson said.  “I think you saw tonight we like to shoot threes, we like to play defense. I think those are two of the keys we did last year and I’m trying to carry some of that over.”

Red Wing's Hallie Roschen (23) brings the ball up court under pressure from Faribault's Sarah McColley (21). The Wingers defeated the Falcons 77-31 Tuesday night at Faribault High School. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Red Wing's Hallie Roschen (23) brings the ball up court under pressure from Faribault's Sarah McColley (21). The Wingers defeated the Falcons 77-31 Tuesday night at Faribault High School. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

First Report

Red Wing stuck to its identity of tough defense and strong shooting to keep its unbeaten season going strong, as the Wingers defeated Big 9 Conference foe Faribault 77-31 Tuesday night at Faribault for their seventh straight win in the series.

Senior Kyli Nelson had a game-high 23 points and sunk four three-pointers in the first half to help put the Wingers (5-0, 3-0) up 42-18 at halftime.

Red Wing, ranked No. 5 in Class 3A by Minnesota Basketball News, is led by first-year coach Peter Johnson, who was promoted from JV head coach and varsity assistant, while Faribault (0-5, 0-4) also features a new coach in Patrick Garcia. 

Garcia’s young Faribault squad used its size inside to get to the foul line, but otherwise struggled against Red Wing’s man-to-man look. Freshman center Otaifo Esenabhalu led the Falcons with 12 points.

Faribault's Otaifo Esenabhalu (40) and Zoe Fronk (44) go after a rebound against Red Wing Tuesday night. The Falcons fell to the Wingers 77-31 at Faribault High School. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

Faribault's Otaifo Esenabhalu (40) and Zoe Fronk (44) go after a rebound against Red Wing Tuesday night. The Falcons fell to the Wingers 77-31 at Faribault High School. Photo by Jeff Lawler, SportsEngine

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