The Austin Packers have made an annual tradition out of playing in the Section 1AAA boys basketball title. They’ve also made an annual tradition of winning in dramatic fashion.

In 2012, the Packers won a last-second alley-oop to get to the Class AAA state tournament and in 2013 they had to hold off Red Wing in overtime to get to state.

Now the Packers (25-3 overall) are again squared off against the Wingers (19-8 overall) with a trip to state on the line this Friday at Mayo Civic Center at 8 p.m.

Last year it was state title game or bust for the Packers, but this year the team doesn’t feel that immense pressure on its back. That doesn’t mean that Austin isn’t thinking big this season.

“Last year there was pressure on us and this year we’re more loose and we’re more confident. That’s a big key. Last year we were good obviously, but this year I feel we are better,” Austin senior point guard Zach Wessels said. “Some people thought we would go down this year with some guys graduating, but I didn’t. We had guys coming back and we have the same goals of a section championship and a state run.”

Austin has rattled off 15 straight wins and it toppled New Prague 79-64 in the Section 1AAA semifinals. The Wingers beat Albert Lea 64-54 in the quarterfinals and beat Winona 55-47 in the semifinals.

The Packers beat Red Wing 55-37 Dec. 20.

Austin head coach Kris Fadness likes the way his team playing right now.

“It think right now we’re playing the best basketball we’ve played all year. AJ [Nywesh] has taken his game to another level and Wes is shooting well,” Fadness said. “We like what we’ve got and this is as loose as we’ve been in the last three years. Hopefully we’ll be fine on Friday.”

If the Packers want to make it three straight trips to the state tournament, they’ll have to make sure they defend the perimeter. The Wingers like to space out the floor and hoist 3-pointers.

“I feel like we match up pretty well with them,” Austin senior Curtis Oberbroeckling said. “They’re a good shooting team and we’re a good shooting team. We know that they’re going to come out and play good. We’ve just got to take care of our business.”

Oberbroeckling is one of the Packers who doesn’t have a lot of playing experience at the section or state tournament, but he said everyone will be ready to go on Friday.

“This is the first time that a lot of us have played in a big game like this,” he said. “I don’t think it will really affect us. We’ll have our fan support and they’ll be loud and proud. It’s just going to be another game.”

If the Packers can keep their cool and play loose like they have been lately, they should be in good position to get back to the state tournament.

“Whoever plays better is going to win,” Fadness said. “I like the way we’re playing right now and I like our attitude. I feel good going into the game. Last year at this time I think guys were scared, and I don’t think anybody feels that way this year.”