The Packers had a huge contingent of fans on hand for the state title game against DeLaSalle (click the image above to enlarge), and they got off to a good start with an early 5-0 lead, but their perfect season came to an end on a less-than-perfect note in a 50-33 loss to the top-ranked Islanders.
Tom Aase led the Packers with 14 points, while Zach Wessels added 8. Collin Weisert scored 5, while Joe Aase, Bret Lukes and Ajuda Nywesh had 2 each.
The Austin Packers trailed by 7 at halftime, and the deficit was as large as 11, but they stormed back in the second half for a 59-56 win over The Blake School Wednesday in the Minnesota Class AAA quarterfinals at Williams Arena.
Joe Aase led the Packers with 20 points, including four second-half threes, while Ajuda Nywesh tallied 15 and had numerous timely steals. Zach Wessels chipped in 9, Tom Aase 8, Collin Weisert 5 and Bret Lukes 2.
The Packers now face #3 Marshall at 2 p.m. Thursday at Target Center. As you can see in the video above, the community support for the team Wednesday was amazing. Let’s make sure we’re just as strong for the semifinals.
If you can’t attend in person, you can follow on KAUS radio, or watch on KAAL Digital Channel 6.2. If you’re not in the Austin area, you also have the option to stream the game live on Prep45.com.
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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.
The Austin Packers earned their second straight state tournament trip Friday night with a 52-43 overtime win over Red Wing in the Section 1AAA title game.
The Packers built an early 12-5 lead before an extended scoring drought allowed the Wingers to close the gap and take a 14-12 lead. It was a four-point Packer lead at halftime, and the Packers maintained a slight edge for virtually all of the game, but a Red Wing put-back with five seconds left in regulation tied the score at 40. A Red Wing free throw gave them a one-point lead early in the four-minute extra period, but the Packers closed on 13-2 run for the win.
Zach Wessels led the Packer scoring with 19 points, while Joe Aase scored 18, Tom Aase 7, Ajuda Nywesh 4, Collin Weisert 3 and Bret Lukes 1.
The Packers begin MSHSL State Tournament play Wednesday at Williams Arena on the University of Minnesota campus. The top five teams will be seeded, with #4 and #5 facing each other and the top three seeds drawing one of the other teams at random. The bracket will be filled in later today.
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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.
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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