No matter how you look at it, the Austin girls basketball program grew stronger this summer — figuratively and literally.

The Packers gained physical strength in the summer weight room program and on the court as they stayed busy and played in 15 games this summer, but the greatest strength they may have gained is a strong team bond. Austin wrapped up its summer season by winning five of six games in Drake University in Iowa this past weekend, but head coach Eric Zoske was more excited about the memories and team bonding the team gained on the trip.

Austin worked in a trip to play mini golf as a team and the team also shared a group meal at the Grumpy Goat in between games at Drake.

“It was a lot of fun. It was more of a team bonding exercise than it was for Xs and Os for basketball,” Austin head coach Eric Zoske said. “Team bonding creates the memories that last a lifetime. You can always forget scores of games, but weekends like this are hopefully something that will last a long time.”

Besides creating memories, the bond the Packers have built will also help them out on the court when the season begins this summer. Nothing helps a squad win quite like having strong team chemistry. When players are on the same page and players are playing for each other, everything becomes easier.

Austin finally had Colie Justice, Elyse Hebrink, Emma Dudycha and Hope Dudycha on the court together for the first time this past weekend. The Dudycha’s had a huge impact as eighth graders and Justice and Hebrink both coming back from injuries after showing a lot of potential as youngsters. Those four players will be crucial if the Packers are going to take the next step this season. Austin was eliminated in the Section 1AAA semifinals last season and the team’s last state tournament appearance was in 2008.

Zoske, who has been in Austin for almost a year now, likes the work his team put in this summer and he’s looking forward to where things are headed with the program.

“I’m proud of where we’re at right now. The girls have put in a lot of time. I don’t make them do these things and I just want to give them the opportunity with the weight room and playing games,” Zoske said. “They’ve all wanted to do it, and for that I’m proud and thankful that we have these types of kids.”

With kids like that, the Packers just could be in line for a breakout season when winter rolls around.