The Packers opened their boys basketball season in a big way as they knocked off New Prague 55-32 on the road Tuesday.

Austin (1-0 overall) out-scored the Trojans (1-1 overall) 36-11 in the second half as their defense took over.

Austin junior center Joe Aase, who scored 10 points, got Austin’s offense going when he started to attack the paint.

“Joe got it started and everybody else got going,” Austin head coach Kris Fadness said. “In the first half, we were in each other’s way and our spacing was bad, but that was much better in the second half.”

Austin forced 26 turnovers as it committed just 15. Zach Wessels, Goliath Oboyo, who scored 10 points, and Nate Schwab all had five steals.

Austin scoring: Tom Aase, 10; Goliath Oboyo, 10; Joe Aase, 10; Zach Vierkandt, 8; Collin Weisert, 5; Zach Wessels, 4; Brett Lukes, 4; Nate Schwab, 3; Dan Gatbel, 1