Packer girls continue hot start with a win over Faribault
Published 10:13 pm Friday, December 20, 2019
The Packer girls basketball team is playing on tired legs, but they just keep on winning.
Austin used a 16-0 run to build an early lead as it ran past Faribault (0-8 overall, 0-7 Big Nine) in Ove Berven Gym Friday.
Hope Dudycha piled on 15 points, five assists and five steals for the Packers (10-1 overall, 7-1 Big Nine), who have played just three home games this season.
“It was nice to be at home. We’ve had so many road games to start the season,” Dudycha said. “With the pace that we play at in transition, it’s really hard to keep going, but I think we’re doing a really good job at trying to keep up. We’ll get some good rest over break, come back and continue what we’re doing.”
Kyra Walters added 12 points, three rebounds and six assists for the Packers and Erica Lundberg had nine points and four rebounds.
Austin head coach Eric Zoske said his team is battling with a lot of sickness and fatigue, but he likes what they showed him by picking up back-to-back wins on Thursday and Friday.
“We’re tired. At one point we were leading the state in games played and eight of our first ten were on the road,” Zoske said. “We’re 8-0 on the road and these girls are something special. Last night wasn’t our best and tonight wasn’t our best, but we gave it everything we had without a lot in the tank.”
Playing at home at the start of winter break was a major plus for the homesick Packers, who were glad to see some familiar faces in the crowd.
“It’s great to see the alumni here. That’s the best part about these home games during the break,” Zoske said. “You get to see the girls that helped build the program and were role models for the girls that are playing now. That, by far, is the best part of coaching.”
Faribault 36 30 — 66
Austin 17 26 — 43
Austin scoring: Hope Dudycha, 15; Kyra Walters, 12; Erica Lundberg, 9; Emma Dudycha, 8; Colie Justice, 7; Olivia Walsh, 4; Elyse Hebrink, 4; Ellie Tupy, 3; Reana Schmitt, 2; free throws: 73 percent (8-for-11); rebounds: 23 (Lundberg, 4) turnovers: 15