Tag Archives: Basketball

Undefeated Underdogs

22 Mar

That’s what the Austin Packers will be tomorrow night when they square off against top-ranked Minneapolis DeLaSalle.

Austin is 30-0 and therefore obviously hasn’t lost all season. DeLaSalle is 28-1 and hasn’t lost to any team from Minnesota. The Islanders’ only loss this year was to a top team from Kansas. And considering that they are the defending Class AAA state champions, their winning streak against Minnesota competition is now 39 games, dating back to February 7, 2012.

When Austin last came to the state tournament with an undefeated team, it was the 1981 Packers (22-0) facing another undefeated defending state champion from Minneapolis, the North Polars. North was riding a 41-game winning streak and was heavily favored.

Underdog Austin trailed by seven points at halftime. Here’s what happened in the second half:

The next day, Austin beat another undefeated team, Chaska, to advance to the championship game against Anoka. The Packers lost that game and finished 24-1.

DeLaSalle obviously has a great team and deserves its top ranking. The 2013 Packers have faced lots of challenges, and this will be the biggest one. The 1981 Packers join all Austin alumni and the whole community in support of the Packers and in hoping they have their best game yet.

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Top 10 Reasons to Ride the Packer Express to Williams Arena

19 Mar

Bus

The Packers open State Tournament play tomorrow at 2 p.m. against Blake at Williams Arena. Here are 10 reasons why riding the Packer Express is the best way to join them:

  1. No-Hassle Parking. It’s much easier to find a parking spot in downtown Austin, before boarding the bus, than it is on the U of M campus.
  2. Save Big Money. At the standard IRS mileage rate (plus parking), if you were car-pooling you would need to have five adults (or 20 students) riding with you just to break even. So riding the bus means you will have…
  3. More Money for Souvenirs. Use what you save on gas and mileage to help Paint The Barn Red. Get your Packer Paraphernalia (shirts and towels) at Games People Play.
  4. Get there Relaxed and Ready to Roar. No need to fight traffic or worry about arriving late. Leave that to the professionals. You’ll be dropped off right at the arena entrance.
  5. Community Spirit. Celebrate the Packers’ success this year with your friends in a festive atmosphere.
  6. Time for Creativity. Brainstorm and practice new cheers and chants together on the way.
  7. Psychological Impact. There’s nothing like a wave of Red sweeping into the seats of an arena, as Packer fans stream in together. Be part of that wave!
  8. Be Like the Packers. After the Pep Fest tomorrow morning the Packers will board a bus to Minneapolis. Go and do likewise.
  9. It’s Better than a Snow Day. Getting out of school is great, but a state tournament game is an experience you will never forget.
  10. You can sing along with “The Wheels on the bus go round and round…” all through Minneapolis!

Get your bus reservation forms here, and be sure to turn them in with payment at the AHS Activities Office by noon today!

Follow the Packers at State on Twitter, and connect on Facebook.

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Aases Make All-Star Series

19 Mar

Screen shot 2013-03-16 at 9.43.48 AM

Austin High School Seniors Joe Aase and Tom Aase have been selected to play in the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Series.

Four teams of 10 graduating senior players will play in the series. Joe was named to the Gold team, while time will play for the Maroon. See the rosters.

The games will begin Friday, April 5 at St. Cloud State University at 7 p.m. with Gold vs. Maroon and Blue vs. Green. The series continues Saturday, April 6 at Macalaster College in St. Paul with games at 2:15 and 4 p.m.

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Packers to Face Blake at State

16 Mar

The Austin Packers earned the #2 seed as expected, and drew #7-ranked Blake from the unseeded pool for their quarterfinal match-up in the Minnesota State High School League Class AAA Boys Basketball Tournament.

The Packers face the Bears at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus.

Here is the complete bracket:

AAA Bracket

Follow the Packers at State on Twitter, and connect on Facebook.

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Packers Advance to Section Finals with 51-49 Win

10 Mar
Ajuda Nywesh goes up for the game-winning lay-up

Ajuda Nywesh goes up for the game-winning lay-up

The Austin Packers, down 21-10 midway through the first half, came back against Winona Saturday night for a 51-49 cliffhanger victory in the Section 1AAA semifinal.

Joe Aase led the Packers with 22 points, making 6 of 10 from behind the arc. Zach Wessels added 11, Ajuda Nywesh 9 (including the game-winning lay-up), Collin Weisert 5 and Tom Aase 4.

See the Austin Daily Herald story.

Updated: Here also are the Rochester Post-Bulletin and Winona Daily News stories.

Here are the highlights:

The win puts the Packers in the championship game on Friday, March 15 at 6 p.m. at Mayo Civic Arena in Rochester, where they will face Red Wing, upset winners over New Prague. The Packers defeated the Wingers 64-52 at Red Wing on Dec. 21.

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