Packer boys blow past Falcons
Published 9:35 pm Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Austin's Goliath Oboyo goes in for a lay-up against Faribault in their Section 1AAA playoff game Wednesday night in Packer Gym. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
It wasn’t much of a test, but the top-seeded Packers took care of business with a 60-17 win over No. 8 seeded Faribault (1-25 overall) in the first round of the Section 1AAA boys basketball tournament in Packer Gym Wednesday.
Austin (21-5 overall) put together a 34-4 run in the game’s first 13 minutes and all of the Packer starters were on the bench for the entire second half.
Austin's Bret Lukes shoots during the first half against Faribault in Section 1AAA tournament action Wednesday night in Packer Gym. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Joe Aase hit four threes and scored 16 points for Austin, Zach Wessels scored 14 points and Goliath Oboyo helped trigger Austin’s fast break game with some tough defense.
“I really liked the way we played in the first half,” Austin head coach Kris Fadness said. “It was nice to see Joe stroking it, Wessels was effective all over the place and Oboyo was making plays. I know Faribault’s not real strong, but we were at the top of our game.”
Oboyo got the Packers started when he came up with five steals and three assists in the first half. On one of Oboyo’s steals he finished with a strong lay-up while being fouled and hit the free throw to put the Packers up 30-4.
“I’m usually good at playing defense and getting my teammates the ball. That’s what I like doing,” Oboyo said. “It feels good (to win big), but we’ve got to keep ourselves humble and not play overconfident.”
Austin sophomore Bret Lukes had five points and three assists in his first career playoff game.
“I’ve been playing with these guys all season, it’s nothing different than what I’m used to,” Lukes said. “We just wanted to play solid basketball and not get sloppy. We played a good first half and everybody got a chance to get out there. Nobody had a bad game.”
The Packers will now host No. 5 seeded Winona (9-14 overall) Saturday at 7 p.m.
Austin beat Winona twice this season by scores of 77-55 and 60-40.
Faribault 8 9 — 17
Austin's Nate Schwab pulls up along the baseline during the first half against Faribault during their Section 1AAA playoff matchup Wednesday night in Packer Gym. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin 45 15 — 60
Austin scoring: Joe Aase, 16; Zach Wessels, 14; Collin Weisert, 7; Bret Lukes, 5; Goliath Oboyo, 4; Curtis Oberbroeckling, 4; Tom Aase, 3; Ryan Larson, 2; Nathan Schwab, 2; Ajuda Nywesh, 2; Ryan Synoground, 2; free throws: 83 percent (10-for-12); rebounds: 26 (Joe Aase, 4; Tom Aase, 4); turnovers: 13
Faribault scoring: Nate Emge, 6; Mason Glende, 5; Darin Anderson, 2; Nicholas Botswick, 2; Duol Chut, 1; free throws: 40 percent (4-for-10); rebounds: 18 (Chut, 8); turnovers: 21
