2) Back to the top

It was 30 years in the making and it had a Hollywood ending to go with it. The Austin boys basketball team advanced to the state tournament for the first time in three decades in 2012, but it was probably how they made it to state that they’ll remember most.

The Packers trailed New Prague 37-31 with 8:05 left in the game when Zach Wessels scored 11 points over a three-minute span to bring the Packers back in it.

After Austin’s comeback, the Packers had the ball with 1:32 left and New Prague was looking for Wessels to drive. Instead, the Packers ran the clock down and Wessels lobbed an alley-oop to Tom Aase, who was coming off the baseline. Aase slammed home the pass right before time expired and the Packers were headed to state.

Although they lost to St. Paul Johnson 71-66 after leading 37-35 at the break in the first round at state, the Packers have their top three scorers back and are currently ranked No. 2 in Class ‘AAA.’