Boys basketball: Raiders knock off Packers in OT
Published 12:22 am Sunday, February 28, 2016
Austin’s Mark Manyuon leans into Northfield’s Nicolas Zabel during the first half of the team’s semifinal match up in the Section 1AAA Tournament Saturday night in Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
ROCHESTER — The No. 2 seeded Austin boys basketball team had a lot of fight in it, but in the end its season came to an end in a 64-61 overtime loss to No. 3 Northfield in Mayo Civic Center Saturday.
Duoth Gach is fouled heading in for a dunk in the second half against Northfield in the Section 1AAA Tournament semifinals Saturday night at Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Raiders took a 62-57 lead with 34.2 seconds left in overtime, but Both Gach and Kyle Oberbroeckling each scored in the next 20 seconds to bring Austin within 63-61. Northfield made one free throw and Oberbroeckling, who had 11 points and seven rebounds, missed a game-tying desperation three-pointer at the buzzer.
“It’s an improvement from last year, but we were expecting higher things,” Oberbroeckling said. “I’m just sad we couldn’t live up to the hype. We’ve got next year and we’re ready to get back to work. I want to say thank you to the seniors on a great year.”
Austin forced overtime when Both Gach, who had 20 points, four rebounds and three assists, hit two free throws to tie the game up at 55-55 with 13.2 seconds left in regulation.
The Raiders relied on the shooting of 6-9 forward Luke Harris hit six three-pointers.
“He shoots over you, but we didn’t get to him sometimes,” Austin head coach Kris Fadness said. “He hit a couple of bombs. Give him credit and they made the plays. Harris was just a difference maker for them.”
Austin trailed for much of the first half, but it took a 35-31 lead with 12:02 left in the second half when Jace Murray hit a three-pointer. The Raiders responded with a quick 6-0 run and it was a back and forth contest the rest of the way.
Both picked his game up down the stretch, but it wasn’t enough.
Austin’s Zach Coffey gets a layup along the baseline in the second half against Northfield in the Section 1AAA semifinals Saturday night at Mayo Civic Center. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“It was pretty tough,” Both said. “They’re bigger than us and we have a small team. It came down to who can make plays and who can get rebounds.”
Austin will graduate some key seniors, but it will also bring back some strong players next year, including the trio of sophomores — Both, Duoth and Tate Hebrink.
“I’m proud of our seniors. They were great leaders and our chemistry was great this year,” Fadness said.
Both and Oberbroeckling made sure to thank the fans who made the trip to the game.
Northfield 29 26 9 — 64
Austin 23 32 6 — 61
Austin scoring: Both Gach, 20; Kyle Oberbroeckling, 11; Tate Hebrink, 11; Duoth Gach, 9; Jace Murray, 4; Oman Oman, 2; Mark Manyuon, 2; Zach Coffey, 2; free throws: 53 percent (10-for-19); rebounds: 24 (Oberbroeckling, 7); turnovers: 10
