Tough draw: Packers stung by defending state champs in state quarterfinals

Published 7:51 am Thursday, March 14, 2019

MINNEAPOLIS — The Austin girls basketball team ran into an opponent that was bigger, faster and stronger as it lost to No. 2 seeded Robbinsdale-Cooper 72-40 in the Minnesota Class AAA Girls State Basketball Tournament quarterfinals in Maturi Pavilion Wednesday.

The Packers (20-9 overall) trailed for the entire game and they were never closer than 14 in the second half.

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It was a historic run for the Packers to get to their first state tournament since 2008. Austin knocked off No. 1 Red Wing and it beat Northfield, which was the state runner up last year, in the Section 1AAA Tournament.

“I’m really proud to be the coach of this team,” Austin head coach Eric Zoske said. “I love these girls. They’ve sacrificed so much for each other this year.”

Senior Abby Lewis had 15 points for the Packers, who will play a consolation game in Concordia-St. Paul at 4 p.m. Thursday.


Read more about Austin’s tough loss in the Minnesota Class AAA Girls State Basketball Tournament: Pack stumbles in state quarterfinals

Click here to see more photos from the game on Facebook.