The Class AAA state boys basketball tournament may be a familiar scene to the Austin Packers, but it will be an entirely new experience for their foe in the quarterfinals at Williams Arena in Minneapolis Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Austin (26-3 overall) will open up the state tournament against Alexandria (15-11 overall), which is making its first appearance in the state tournament since 2002.

The Cardinals advanced to state on a 69-50 win over Fergus Falls last week. John Voegeler scored 30 points in the win for Alexandria.

The Packers are playing in their third straight state tournament and they finished second at state last year. Austin has been playing shut-down defense and it has hit big shots in its tournament run — which has seen the Packers win all three of their games by at least 15 points.

“We’re just going to see what they bring,” Austin senior guard Ajuda Nywesh said. “We’re going to give it all we’ve got and even the guys on the bench who don’t play are going to give us energy as well. We’re going to take it to them.”

Austin head coach Kris Fadness likens Alexandria’s style of defense to Big Nine teams Owatonna and Mankato West. The Cardinals like to get physical.

When Alexandria has the ball, it likes to pick up the pace.

“Offensively they want to run and push the tempo,” Fadness said. “They’ve got some good guard play and they’re all about 6-2 to 6-4. It’s going to be a really tough matchup and we’re going to have to play real well.”

The Packers have plenty of experience at the state tournament, so its unlikely they’ll be overwhelmed on Wednesday, but they still have to play their best game to win.

“Any team that makes it to state is good,” Austin senior guard Zach Wessels said. “We’re going to have to play our game and hopefully win.”

If Austin wins against Alexandria, it will play the winner of No. 3 Holy Family Catholic and Cloquet Thursday at 2p.m. in Target Center.

The Class AAA title game is Saturday at Target Center at 6 p.m.