Follow it live: Packers pulling away against Holy Family in state semifinals
Published 1:54 pm Thursday, March 13, 2014
The Austin Packer boys basketball team is up 66-40 in the second half against Holy Family Catholic in the state Class AAA semifinals at the Target Center.
The Packers hustled their way to an early lead and kept it with a stingy defense that forced 12 Holy Family turnovers in the first half. Austin led 38-20 at halftime.
Austin Senior Guard Zach Wessels led the Packers with 13 points in the first half, and Ajuda Nywesh scored 12 points.
On Wednesday, Austin (27-3 overall) defeated Alexandria 61-50, and Holy Family Catholic (28-2 overall) defeated Cloquet 63-41.
The Packer fan base — often called “The Red Sea” this year — is out in force at the Target Center. Austin High School officials said about 230 students rode three student buses and two AHS band buses to the game. Several more students drove or rode with parents.
This is Austin’s third straight state appearance and second straight appearance in the state semifinals. Last year, the Packers lost in the title game to DeLaSalle to take second at state. DeLaSalle beat Orono 67-41 Thursday to return to the title game.
Austin is guaranteed a third game. If the Packers win, the boys will play DeLaSalle for the title at 6 p.m. Saturday. If the boys lose, they’ll play for third place at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Follow tomorrow’s game online and on Twitter by following @EricJohnsonADH and @RockyHulneADH.
