Packer boys basketball team wins sixth straight game
Published 11:28 pm Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Austin’s Tate Heibrink drives to the hoop during the second half Tuesday night in Packer Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Austin boys basketball team had eight players score at least six points as it beat Winona 77-60 in Packer Gym Tuesday.
The No. 4 Packers (13-3 overall, 11-2 Big Nine) had 40 points come off the bench as Tate Hebrink led the way with 11 points. Hebrink hit a three-pointer to put Austin up 36-31 in the first half and he added another trey to put the Packers up 61-46 in the second half to ice the game.
“We’re all confident right now,” Hebrink said.
Oman Oman drifts a shot against Winona’s Jonah Boelter during the second half Tuesday night in Packer Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Winona (3-13 overall, 3-10 Big Nine) was within 46-42 early in the first half when Both Gach, who had eight points, seven rebounds and three steals and Jace Murray, who had eight points and seven assists, hit back-to-back three-pointers to make it 52-42.
“I thought we were much more disciplined in the second half,” Austin head coach Kris Fadness said. “We started playing like a YMCA pick-up game at times in the first half, but it was much better in the second half.”
The Packers, who have now won six straight games, forced 25 Winona turnovers in the win and Austin committed just eight turnovers, while hitting 13 three-pointers.
Austin senior Elijah Andersen had all seven of his points in the first half as he gave the Packers an early spark.
“That’s exactly what coach wants me to do,” Andersen said. “I want to come in and be instant offense and it’s great to just come in and shoot.”
Mark Manyuon had seven points for the Packers, but he tallied six steals as he created havoc in the Winona backcourt.
“I thought Mark did some things for us. His athleticism showed and he made a lot of plays,” Fadness said. “Tate took a step in the right direction. We’ve got to get him going and I thought he played a really nice game.”
Winona 36 24 — 60
Austin 41 36 — 77
Austin scoring: Tate Hebrink, 11; Duoth Gach, 10; Jany Gash, 10; Both Gach, 8; Jace Murray, 8; Mark Manyuon, 7; Elijah Andersen, 7; Kyle Oberbroeckling, 6; Zach Coffey, 6; Oman Oman, 3; Pat Hagan, 2; field goals: 44 percent (29-for-66); three-pointers: 40 percent (13-for-32); free throws: 46 percent (6-for-13); rebounds: 31 (Both, 7); turnovers: 8