The Austin boys basketball got out of New Prague with a 51-48 win on Tuesday.

Wednesday, December 22, 1999

The Austin boys basketball got out of New Prague with a 51-48 win on Tuesday. And the Packers have the bumps and bruises to prove it.

In a physical game that saw Austin guard Nick Rohne get flung into the stands, the Packers kept their cool and pulled the game out down the stretch.

Center Brian Elwer led the Packers with 22 points, none bigger than the short hook shot he hit with 35 seconds remaining in the game.

That deuce gave the Packers the lead, 49-48.

Jon Frykman, who, like Elwer, was the only player for his team in double figures, finished with 17 points. But the 6-foot, 1-inch guard wasn’t able to finish off the Packers.

Frykman missed a pair of free throws with 24 seconds to go.

"I think he was gassed," Austin coach Kris Fadness said.

After Austin’s Tanner Schieck grabbed the rebound on the second miss, he threw an outlet pass to Brent Holck, who was fouled.

Holck hit two free throws to seal the win for Austin (3-2).

"It was a extra physical game," Fadness said, "not a lot of whistles. But we kept our composure."

Austin, which took control early with a 16-9 lead, trailed at the half 24-23.

But a rare spurt of good jump shooting gave Austin a lead heading into the final quarter. Rohne and Andy Erichson hit a pair of threes late in the third to put Austin up 45-38.

From there, the Packers hung on, utilizing Elwer, "who was dominant," Fadness said.

Elwer grabbed a dozen rebounds in the game while fending off double and triple teams.

"Rebounding and defense are carrying us right now," Fadness said. "We’re struggling to shoot the basketball right now (around 35 percent for the season)."

There were signs of the Packers breaking out.

Shooting guard Brent Holck hit for seven points, including one of three Austin threes. His point total exceeded his point total of six through Austin’s first four games.

"It’s a start for him," Fadness said. "I’m happy for him. He’ll be able to go into Christmas in better spirits."

Rohne and Erichson each scored five, Matt Smith and Schieck four apiece and Matt Christopherson two.

Austin next competes in the three-day Bethel Tournament from Dec. 28-30.