Unbeaten Packer girls use defense to top Scarlets
Published 9:50 pm Thursday, December 19, 2024
Austin’s Addison Walsh splits defenders to put up the shot in the first half against Mankato West Thursday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Nyabol Mourwal works inside during the first half against Mankato West in Ove Berven Gym Thursday night. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Quinn Osbood drives around a pick during the first half against Mankato West Thursday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Ausitn’s Atee Obang puts up a shot from the post during the first half against Mankato West Thursday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Aiem Agwa shoots off the drive during the first half against Mankato West Thursday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
On a night when the outside shot wasn’t falling, it almost came as a sigh of relief when Austin sophomore Addison Walsh drove to the hoop and dished it out to senior Marissa Shute, who drained a baseline three to beat the shot clock buzzer for an exclamation point on Austin’s final possession in a 62-45 win over Mankato West in Ove Berven Gym Thursday.
Shute finished with 14 points for the Packers (7-0 overall), who made just six threes in the win. They found themselves in a tight game down the stretch as the Scarlets (3-7 overall) crept to within 47-43 when Joy Weimer made two free throws with 7:56 left in the game, but the Packers never faltered.
Austin never gave up its lead, but it did learn that it sometimes has to lock down on defense to win.
“It’s a good game for us, because we didn’t shoot well from the three-point line and then you have to ask yourself if you’re motivated by scoring or motivated by playing defense,” Austin head coach Eric Zoske said. “We had to do a little soul searching and when the shot is not falling down, you’ve got to play defense.”
Austin senior Ajiem Agwa was active throughout the night as she finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. She helped keep the Packers in control late in the game when she drove for a score to make it 51-43 with 7:01 left.
Agwa said the unbeaten Packers are learning how to handle adversity when it comes.
“We know what’s going to come and we’re doing way better than we were last year,” Agwa said. “We just need to work on the little things like rebounding and we need to remember that we can still get beat. There are other teams coming for us and we have to work harder than before.”
Austin sophomore Atee Obang gave the Packers some life off the bench as she scored nine points. Obang hit a key three to put Austin up 47-35 with 10:49 left in the game.
“I’m really comfortable coming off the bench to give the team momentum,” Obang said. “It helps that the older girls set really good examples for me and the younger girls.”
West 27 28 – 45
Austin 28 34 – 62
Austin scoring: Ajiem Agwa, 17; Marissa Shute, 14; Addison Walsh, 9; Atee Obang, 9; Quinn Osgood, 5; Kenzie Brede, 3; Nyabol Mourwal, 3, Gracie Arndt, 2
