Packers run past Tigers, will play Byron Saturday
Published 8:53 pm Wednesday, March 8, 2017
- Austin’s Both Gach drives on the Albert Lea defense during the first half of their Section 1AAA Tournament matchup Wednesday night in Packer Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Austin seniors made their final game in Packer Gym a fun one as the top-seeded Packers came out running in an 88-39 win over No. 8 Albert Lea (0-27 overall) in a Section 1AAA boys basketball quarterfinal Wednesday.
The Packers will advance and play No. 4 seeded Byron in Mayo Civic Center 1 p.m. Saturday.
Austin led the Tigers just 9-8 early on, but the Packers (25-2 overall) were able to pick up the pace and put together a 20-2 run to put the game away. Austin led 85-28 before it cleared its bench and let the starters rest.
Austin’s Jany Gash heads in for a layup against Albert Lea in their first-round matchup of the Section 1AAA Tournament Wednesday night in Packer Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Jany Gash, a senior, had 12 points as he knocked down a pair of three-pointers in the win.
“I just wanted to have a lot of fun out there,” Gash said. “I embraced it all.”
Although they came into the game as heavy favorites, the Packers played with the proper intensity from the opening tip. Duoth Gach started the game with an alley-oop dunk on a pass from Both Gach, who had 16 points and six assists, and Austin’s defense forced 28 turnovers in the win.
“You want to come out, get a big lead early, play your guys and come out healthy,” Austin head coach Kris Fadness said “You want to play well and I thought we played well offensively. We shared the ball well and we got some inside baskets. That’s what you’re supposed to do and I’m happy with the guys.”
Austin’s Trent Brown contends for a rebound with Albert Lea’s Parker Anderson during the first half of their Section 1AAA Tournament matchup Wednesday night in Packer Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Packers will now focus on Byron (16-11 overall). Austin beat the Bears 82-69 Dec. 6, but Fadness said the Packers will have to be focused if they want to equal that feat on Saturday.
“They have guys that can score. We’re going to need to play well,” Fadness said. “If we don’t play well, we have a chance of getting beat. You try to treat every game with the same type of magnitude and obviously in tournament play things get jacked up a little bit.”
Kyle Oberbroeckling had six points in his final game at Packer Gym.
“Before the game I told myself that it was the final time I would step on the floor so I wanted to make it worth it,” Oberbroeckling said. “Now we need to come to practice and keep our minds on the [Byron] game. We need to study our opponent and work hard. I think we should be good.”
Austin’s Oman Oman works inside during the first half against Albert Lea in the Section 1AAA Tournament Wednesday night in Packer Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
AL 23 16 — 39
Austin 65 23 — 88
Austin scoring: Both Gach, 16; Moses Issa, 16; Jany Gash, 12; Tate Hebrink, 11; Duoth Gach, 7; Pat Hagen, 7; Kyle Oberbroeckling, 6; Tyler Tupy, 6; Oman Oman, 5; Trent Brown, 2; Gavin Owens, 1; free throws: 81 percent (13-for-16); rebounds: 31 (Hagen, 10); turnovers: 4
