Flying into the semis; Packers advance to next round of state after win over St. Thomas in Class AAA quarterfinals
Published 10:13 am Thursday, March 23, 2017
- Austin’s Both Gach splits St. Thomas Academy’s Jack Stolpman, left, and Sam Vascellaro, right, on a layup in the second half in the Minnesota Class AAA Boys State Basketball Tournament quarterfinals Wednesday in the University of Minnesota’s Williams Arena. Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
MINNEAPOLIS — While they don’t have a lot of state tournament experience on their side, the Packers were unfazed as they came out shooting and beat St. Thomas Academy 55-49 in the Minnesota Class AAA boys basketball quarterfinals in Williams Arena Wednesday.
Austin will play Marshall in the state semifinals 2 p.m. at Target Center Thursday.
The Packers jumped out to a 22-13 lead behind the shooting of Duoth Gach, who had 17 points. Gach hit three straight three-pointers to kick-start the Packer offense.
“I think seeing Duoth hit that first three helped us and I don’t think we really ever looked back,” Austin head coach Kris Fadness said.
Austin fan Caylee Meier salutes during the Austin High School fight song before the start of Wednesday’s game.
The Cadets closed to within five points late in the contest, but Austin didn’t give in. The Packers kept their cool and closed out the game from the free throw line.
“I was more excited than nervous,” Austin junior Tate Hebrink, who had nine points, said. “I really didn’t know they didn’t make a three. I wasn’t really thinking about it.”
The Packers will now focus on Marshall. If they win that game, the Packers will play in their third state title game in the last five years.
“We’re focused on the next game,” Both Gach said. “We’ve got to be prepared and we’ve got to keep that winning mentality. We’ve got to get stops.”
Read more on the Austin Packers’ trip to state: Packers close out the line; Austin defeats Cadets in state quarters
