Packer girls basketball team starts strong in win over Red Wing
Published 11:38 pm Tuesday, December 20, 2016
- Austin’s Emily Hegna looks inside during the first half against Red Wing Tuesday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
After struggling with slow starts in the first part of the schedule, the Austin girls basketball team made it a point of emphasis to strike first as it beat Red Wing 63-57 in Ove Berven Gym Tuesday.
The Packers (4-3 overall, 3-1 Big Nine) jumped out to a 13-5 lead, but they did have to keep up the intensity as the Wingers (5-4 overall, 3-3 Big Nine) made several pushes throughout the night.
Austin’s Awenia Nywesh spins on Red Wing’s Amy Jeranek during the first half Tuesday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“In all of our games we’ve started by having to dig out of a hole,” said Austin senior Rebecca Younis, who had 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and five steals. “We wanted to start out strong tonight and keep our lead going.”
Red Wing rallied to tie the game at 19-19, but Austin’s Abby Lewis hit a three-pointer to put the Packers up for good at 22-19. Austin pushed that lead to 34-28 at the break when KieJuana VanZant converted a lay-up to beat the halftime buzzer.
Austin took a 58-45 lead when Younis got free for a lay up with 3:08 left in the game, but Red Wing was able to close the gap down the stretch as Austin struggled with turnovers.
Austin’s Elyse Hebrink puts up a lay-up in the first half against Red Wing Tuesday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“We’re young and we’re learning,” Austin head coach Anna Meyer said. “We just try to preach working hard in every possession of every game. I know there’s lapses, but the girls are working hard.”
For the second straight contest, Austin senior Awenia Nywesh imposed her will in the paint for the Packers. Nywesh had 21 points, nine rebounds and three steals in the win.
“The last game kind of gave me more confidence to work harder and keep doing what I have to do,” Nywesh said. “We’re connecting more and getting more looks for each other.”
Meyer said she hopes that Nywesh continues to play with confidence on the court.
“We told Awenia at the beginning of the season that we need her to step up and lead us in scoring and rebounding,” Meyer said. “She’s in great shape and she’s working hard in practice and in games.”
Austin was able to hold the Wingers in check by neutralizing junior forward Tayzha Buck’s scoring opportunities. The Packer defense swarmed Buck and they also took a couple of charges on her as she looked to get to the basket. Austin forced a total of 23 turnovers in the win.
Austin’s Abby Lewis pulls up off the drive during the first half against Red Wing in Ove Berven Gym Tuesday night. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“With Buck being one of the top players in our conference, we wanted to keep her from doing what she does well,” Younis said. “Playing with her throughout the years, we know how to get in her head and that’s key. If we can stop her, that means we can stop the rest of the team too.”
RW 28 29 — 57
Austin 34 29 — 63
Austin scoring: Awenia Nywesh, 22; Rebecca Younis, 13; Colie Justice, 9; Elyse Hebrink, 7; Abby Lewis, 6; KieJuana VanZant, 4; Amber Hansen, 2; free throws: 63 percent (5-for-8); rebounds: 31 (Nyewsh, 9); turnovers: 16
Austin’s Colie Justice cuts in front of Tayzha Buck on the way for a lay-up in the first half Tuesday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com