Packer head coach knows what to expect from tourney

Austin head boys basketball coach Kris Fadness knows what it’s like to coach in the state basketball tournament, and he knows what its like to win a title.

In his four years at Caledonia before he came to Austin in 1998, Fadness led the Warriors to state three times, and the team won a Class ‘AA’ state title in 1997.

While Fadness is glad to get back to state, he’s not about to start celebrating it.

“It’s great to get there and there’s a lot of hoopla with getting there,” Fadness said. “But it’s not going to feel real good if we go out Wednesday and lose. The state quarterfinal games are an extension of the sections for me, because you’re not guaranteed an extra game until you get to the semifinals.”

With just two days to prepare for a game against St. Paul Johnson Wednesday at noon, its very important for the Packers to stay focused.

“I know people are excited, but if we don’t focus on St. Paul Johnson, who is an extremely good basketball team, it’s going to be one and done, and it’s not going to feel good,” Fadness said. “You have to prepare for the next game instead of living in the past, and so far this team has done a good job of staying in the moment and not looking in the past.”

If the Packers rally at state, they may end up finishing something they set out for before the season even began.

“We came in here with three goals,” Fadness said. “One was to win the conference, one was to win the section and one was to win state.”

FADNESS AT A GLANCE

Career record: 272-206
Record at Austin: 175-195
State tournament appearances: 4
State titles: 1