Their time to shine Packers state bound for first time in 3 decades By Rocky Hulne
“If we can protect the basketball and not give them turnovers and run outs and If the Packers want to get past the first make them play a five-on-five game, we’ve round of the Class ‘AAA’ state boys basket- got a chance. That’s the challenge.” ball tournament, there’s The Packers will tip one thing they’ll have off with Johnson at to take care of — the noon Wednesday in ball. Williams Arena at the Austin will open its University of Minfirst state tournament in nesota in Minneapolis. 30 years with St. Paul The Govs will look Johnson, a squad that to Marcus Marshall, a likes to bring pressure 6-2 guard who will early and often. play for Missouri State That pressure has led next season, to lead to a lot of points for the them as he put up 36 The Austin Packers hold up the Section Governors (20-8 overpoints in their section 1AAA championship plaque after defeatall) this season as they title win over Saint ing New Prague Friday night at the Mayo are averaging 81 points Thomas Academy. Civic Center in Rochester. per game. “Marcus Marshall is “They’re the fastest a stud, and we’ve got team we will play. They to try and keep him in try to force the sideline with man-to-man check,” said Austin center Joe Aase. “We’re pressure and they try to get steals for lay- just going to try and play good ‘D.’ We’re ups,” Austin head coach Kris Fadness said. going to want to slow them down when
The Austin Packers were given T-shirts after their win over New Prague in the Section 1AAA title game in Rochester. Herald file photos they’re on offense.” Fadness said the biggest problem with preparing for their first round opponent in practice is that it’s very tough to imitate what the Govs do. He said the experience Joe Aase, Tom Aase and Zach Wessels
gained in playing AAU basketball last summer will be crucial when it comes to matching up with Johnson’s athleticism.
Continues on Page 3
Good Luck at State! Webb Davis
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“We cannot simulate them in practice,” Fadness said. “We have to just rely on the fact that we’ve got some guys who have played against city kids, and you hope that some of that experience will shine through. If we play to our ability, we can give Johnson a run, if not beat them. We’ll see what happens.” Joe Aase said the Packers aren’t feeling any intimidation, although its their first time playing in a venue as big as Williams Arena. “We think we have a good shot to win the whole thing,” Joe Aase said. “Johnson’s a tough team. They’re not a gimmie for sure and they’re going to give us a battle. But we’re not scared of any team in this tournament.” Austin point guard Zach Wessels will face the brunt of Johnson’s full court press. But he’s not feeling any nerves and he’s looking forward to the matchup. “It’s going to be fun to be a part of. We want to win to state,” Wessels said. “We just have to contain them and play our game.
We don’t want to stoop down to their kind of play, and we want to make them play up to us.” Joe Aase is still taking it in that he will be playing in the state tournament — something he’s dreamed of most of his life. “It was kind of surreal on Friday from so many perspectives,” Joe Aase said. “It’s nice to be the first team in 30 years and it’s nice to be Fad’s first team to go to state here.” While Austin is pumped to play at state, Fadness is just hoping his team doesn’t get any stage fright. The Packers struggled to get going in the Section 1AAA title game against New Prague as they hung on to win 43-41. “I know we can compete,” Fadness said. “We have to play at a high level, and the guys have to relax a little. There were times in the section championship game where we were like a deer in the headlights, and we can’t have that.”
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD • THE ROAD TO STATE
Austin’s Collin Weisert celebrates, right, with teammate Goliath Oboyo as the Packers played Owatonna for the Big Nine title in Packer Gym this season.
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012
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A look at the Austin Packers and their competition
AUSTIN PACKERS (23-5 overall)
How they got to state: Beat Faribault 60-17; beat Winona 7846; beat New Prague 43-41 QRF Ranking: No. 5 Points per game: 62.8 Points allowed per game: 47.1
ROCORI SPARTANS (18-11 overall)
How they got to state: Beat Mound-Westonka 80-61; beat Orono 53-49; beat Delano 52-49 QRF Ranking: No. 17 Points per game: 60.4
Points allowed per game: 56.8
MINNEAPOLIS WASHBURN MILLERS (27-2 overall)
How they got to state: Beat Minneapolis Roosevelt 82-43; beat The Blake School 90-72; beat BenildeSt. Margaretʼs 71-66 QRF Ranking: No. 3 Points per game: 76.4 Points allowed per game: 59.1
ST. PAUL JOHNSON GOVERNORS (20-8 overall)
How they got to state: Beat
South Saint Paul 100-34; beat Saint Paul Central 80-68; beat Saint Thomas Academy 82-62 QRF Ranking: No. 14 Points per game: 81.0 Points allowed per game: 64.9
DETROIT LAKES LAKERS (22-7 overall)
How they got to state: Beat East Grand Forks 75-60; beat Alexandria 64-52; beat Fergus Falls 44-41 QRF Ranking: No. 10 Points per game: 65.4 Points allowed per game: 53.5
DE LASALLE ISLANDERS (23-6 overall)
How they got to state: Beat Minneapolis Patrick Henry 72-61; beat Blaine 73-54; beat Spring Lake Park 62-55 QRF Ranking: No. 4 Points per game: 72.6 Points allowed per game: 51.6
MANKATO EAST COUGARS (25-4 overall)
How they got to state: Beat Dassel-Cokato 74-54; beat Willmar 75-61; beat Waconia 73-66
QRF Ranking: No. 7 Points per game: 74.8 Points allowed per game: 60.5
GRAND RAPIDS THUNDERHAWKS (24-5 overall)
How they got to state: beat Chisago Lakes 74-35; beat Hermantown 68-47; beat Duluth Denfeld 62-47 QRF Ranking: No. 2 Points per game: 65.4 Points allowed per game: 52.2
*QRF ranking is according to minnesotascores.net and it is based on quality of opponents and scores throughout the season.
Rocori H.S. (18-11) 3/21/2012 @ 10 a.m. • Williams Arena, U of MN
#1 Minneapolis Washburn H.S. (27-2)(H)
Saint Paul Johnson H.S. (20-8)
3/22/2012 @ 12 p.m. Target Center
3/21/2012 @ 12 p.m. • Williams Arena, U of MN
#4 Austin H.S. (23-5)(H) 3/24/2012 @ 6 p.m. Target Center
CHAMPION
Detroit Lakes H.S. (22-7) 3/21/2012 @ 2 p.m. • Williams Arena, U of MN
#2 DeLaSalle H.S. (23-6)(H)
Mankato East H.S. (25-4)
3/22/2012 @ 2 p.m. Target Center
3/21/2012 @ 4 p.m. • Williams Arena, U of MN
2012 State Class AAA Boys Basketball Tournament
#3 Grand Rapids H.S. (24-5)(H)
Loser Semifinal 1 3/24/2012 @ 2 p.m. • Condordia University
Loser Semifinal 2 4
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012
THIRD PLACE WINNER AUSTIN DAILY HERALD • THE ROAD TO STATE
Packers lean on their floor leader Wessels has stepped up in the clutch By Rocky Hulne
Ever since he started playing for the Packers, Zach Wessels has proven to be a clutch player. There was the first round tournament game against Faribault his freshman year when he converted a lay-up and free throw to give Austin the lead for good in a comeback win. There was the time he scored 29 points as the Packers knocked off Mankato East earlier this season. And, there was Friday night when he poured in 19 points as Austin edged New Prague 4341 to get to the Class ‘AAA’ state boys basketball tournament. Austin head coach Kris Fadness knows what the Packers have in their sophomore point guard, and a lot of Austin’s game plan revolves around him. “He’s really good. He’s a really competitive kid in practice and games,” Fadness said. “He has that rare ability to just make plays when they need to be made. When you have somebody like that, you put the ball in his hands when it needs to be in his hands.” Although he’s playing with players that have played longer and have more experi-
ence than him, Wessels isn’t afraid to lead the way. In fact, he’s become more of a vocal leader as the season has gone one. “I want to be the guy my teammates can count on. So far, it’s happened that way and they feed off my energy,” said Wessels, who is averaging 13.3 points, 4 assists and 3.7 steals per game. “I just have to play my game and that’s pretty much it.” Wessels has boosted the Packers on both sides of the ball this year as his defense has lifted Austin’s full court press and his driving ability has opened up plenty of lanes. “I think the guys look to him,” Fadness said. “He has a lot of strong leadership qualities to him, and he helps get other guys good looks the way he attacks the basket and the way he draws defenders. Because he can hurt you from all over the floor, he draws so much attention to get good looks.” As the Packers prepare for the state basketball tournament, there’s a good chance the ball will be in Wessels’ hands early and often. That’s a good thing for the Packers.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD • THE ROAD TO STATE
Austin point guard Zach Wessels has led the Packers when they’ve needed him to this season. He will look to fill that role again when the Packers play in the state tournament Wednesday. Herald File Photo
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012
5
2 great seasons The ’81 and ’82 teams were most recent state qualifiers By Jason Schoonover In 1981 and 1982, the Austin Packer boys’ basketball team went to back-to-back Minnesota State Tournaments and came up just short of a championship. They haven’t been back since — until now. Thirty years later, past players were excited to watch the Packers end a long tournament drought with a dramatic 43-41 win over New Prague at Rochester’s Mayo Civic Center Friday. “This has been a long time coming. ... We’re just so happy for them,” said Lee Aase, the starting center on the 1981 state team. For Lee, the March 16 win had a bonus: Lee’s son, Joe, plays on the team, and his nephew, Tom, flushed a last-second, game-winning dunk to seal the win. “It’s just really neat,” Lee said of the family connections. “That just doesn’t happen.” While a trip to state may be new in the last few decades, Steve Justice, a point guard on the 1981 and 1982 teams said Austin has a long history of many trips to state before the 1980s. “Historically, Austin has been there quite often,” Justice said. But the most recent was 30 years ago.
Upset
Lee Aase, No. 54, goes up for the ball against Minneapolis North player Jay Rundles as Austin’s Bruce Anderson, right, looks on. Minneapolis North was the defending state champs, were top ranked and were riding a long winning streak when the Packers upset them. This picture originally appeared in the Austin Daily Herald on March 27, 1981.
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Joe Longueville, a guard on the 1981-82 teams, said he still has vivid memories of the drive to the ‘81 state tournament and staying at the hotel. “I can remember it just like it was yesterday,” he said. Longueville can also remember one of head coach Howie Strey’s key words of advise before taking on powerhouse Minneapolis North: Be quick, but don’t hurry. Despite an undefeated season, the 1981 Packers entered the Minnesota State Tourna-
ment as underdogs. That was largely because they opened the tournament against defending champion and No. 1 ranked Minneapolis North, who were also riding a long winning streak. Though Minneapolis was heavily favored, the Packers pulled off the win. “That was a huge upset,” Lee said. The Packers followed that win with another victory against undefeated Chaska before falling to Anoka in the championship. “I think we were kind of the underdog and surprised a lot of folks,” said Steve Justice, the point guard on that team. Lee said he can see a lot of similarities between the 1981 team and this year’s Packers, as both teams have a balanced team, which means opposing defenses can’t focus on one player.
‘An unselfish team’ Longueville described the 1981-82 teams as a hardworking group that grew up playing together since elementary school. “We were a closeknit group; we cared about each other,” he said. Many of the players would go on to play college basketball, and Longueville opted for college football over hoops after being offered a scholarship. “We had a lot of talent,” he said. But the team wasn’t just made up of a few stars. During the ‘81 season, Longueville said, seniors who didn’t start and didn’t necessarily see much game time had a key role in practice, where they would play hard and challenge the starters. “We really had an unselfish team,” he said.
Continues on Page 7
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD • THE ROAD TO STATE
No cakewalk While the boys returned to state in 1982, it was no cakewalk, according to Justice. He said it’s human nature to think it’s easy to go back the second time, but it’s not. “Once you’ve done it once, you’re not the underdog anymore,” Justice said. Longueville noted basketball wasn’t the only strong sport back then, as many other Packer teams went to state and had strong seasons, making the basketball team a target for other schools. “We had a lot of great athletics in that era,” he said. After finishing second at state in 1981, Justice said the team had a target on it’s back the next year. The boys lost their opening game at state, but won the consolation round. Just missing the state title was hard to stomach at first, but Lee said he’s come to cherish the memories of going. “It was tough then. It was really hard then, but there’s no bad memories,” said Lee, who now works for Mayo Clinic as director of the Center for Social Media. On the other hand, Longueville still believes the Packers should have brought home a state title in 1981. “It still makes me mad to this day,” Longueville said. “It still bothers me that we lost that game. I thought we were the better team.” He urged this year’s team to keep focused on the ultimate goal of a state title.
Smalltown celebrities
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD • THE ROAD TO STATE
When the 1981 team returned to Austin, they were greeted with a championship-style welcome. Longueville, who now owns an Anytime Fitness in Eagan, Minn., said thousands of people turned out for a rally welcoming the team home. “It was unbelievable,” he said. “It was 10 times more than I thought it was going to be.” The attention continued long after that, as Longueville said the players spoke at elementary schools, and people even asked him for his autograph when he was out to the movies. “We were just these celebrities coming back,” he said.
watched the 1980s teams have followed the boys this season. “Many generations enjoy what’s going on this season,” he said.
Hard work pays off
For players from the 1980s teams, the boys’ current success can be traced back to long before this season. Justice noted that players and teams really hone their skills playing in the off-season. “They really came together this summer,” he said. Justice and Lee both said the teams that excel are the ones that put in the work outside practice and organize pickup games and workouts. A moment to cherish Many players have participated in sumFrom his experience at state, Lee urged mer camps and leagues recently which this year’s team be ready for tough comLee said has been a key part of their impetition. provement. “All the teams are good. Everybody’s “That’s where you get better, is in the there for a reason,” Lee said. “They’re all offseason,” Lee said. going to be hard for a reason.” After the boys’ win Friday, Justice said The state tournament can go by quickly he saw a group of boys playing a pickup in the larger arenas, so Lee said the boys should be sure to enjoy every minute of the Joe Longueville puts up the game winning shot in overtime game Sunday morning. Justice said this experience. team’s success will have a positive ripple in 1982 against John Marshall. “They’ll look back on it with really great effect for younger players. memories, but still have to focus on what’s other game. Lee, too, said this team’s state berth is far at hand,” he said. “The boys just need to relax and just play from the end, as Austin’s basketball program has Justice, now a State Farm Insurance agent, basketball like they know how to play,” Justice a bright future. said he thought the boys looked a little timid in said. “The future looks really bright for this team, their Section 1AAA title game win Friday, and Though it’s been a long time since the last too,” he said. said they need to be sure to just play like it’s an- trip to state, Justice said many people who
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012
7
Gaining momentum
Austin 82, Mankato East 73 Dec. 20: The Cougars, who eventually qualified for the state tournament, were coming into to Packer Gym boasting the No. 3 ranking in Class ‘AAA’ and Austin’s Joe Aase and Tom Aase were saddled with foul trouble. So Austin sophomore Zach Wessels did everything he could to keep his team in the game. He went inside and outside and when it was all said and done, he had 29 points, three assists, four steals and five rebounds. Austin led by as many as 20 early on, but the Cougars pulled to within four before Austin hit four straight free throws to finish them off.
The games that defined Austin’s season
I
t was clear from Day 1 that this Packers team was loaded with talent, but it still had to go out and prove it. Here are the five key games of the season that helped mold Austin into the squad that clinched the school’s first state tournament berth in 30 years. — By Rocky Hulne
Ryan Larson pivots around Mankato East's Taylor Hayenga during the first half in Packer Gym. Herald file photo See more games that defined the season on Pages 9 and 10
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AUSTIN DAILY HERALD • THE ROAD TO STATE
Owatonna 39, Austin 34 Dec. 27 It wouldn’t have been surprising if the Packers had backed down in this one. Owatonna Gym was packed and the game was as physical as high school basketball gets. There was holding, pushing and even a little shoving. But there weren’t too many whistles. Even so, Austin held a 26-19 lead with 9:46 left in the contest, before struggling to score down the stretch. While it was a loss, you walked away from that game knowing the Packers had potential to do great things this season, especially when seeing how down the team looked afterwards. The words ‘moral victory’ weren’t even close to their minds.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD • THE ROAD TO STATE
Austin 78, Rochester Mayo 47 Feb. 3 If you want to know how much Austin improved this season, simply look at its two matchups with Rochester Mayo. The Packers lost to the Spartans 53-50 on a buzzerbeating three Dec. 16, but Austin dominated the rematch, starting the game on a 10-0 run and never letting the Spartans get close. Joe Aase poured in 28 points and Tom Aase added 16 — including his first two career dunks in a game within a 10-second span in the second half.
Left: Austin's Goliath Oboyo goes up against Rochester Mayo in the first half Feb. 3 in Packer Gym. Right: Austin's Zach Wessels goes in for a lay-up in the first half against Rochester Mayo Feb. 3.
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012
9
Austin 43, New Prague 41 March 16
Austin fans mob the court after the Packers’ 61-52 win over Owatonna in Packer Gym.
Austin 61, Owatonna 52 March 2 If you told the Owatonna Huskies that they would shoot 46 percent (10-for-22) on three-pointers in a packed Packer Gym, I’m sure they would’ve taken it. And they probably would have expected a win. But not this time. The Packers shot
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TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2012
slightly better from the arc at 47 percent (8-for-17) and they never trailed throughout the night as they clinched the Big Nine title outright. Tom Aase shined the brightest for the Packers as he posted 18 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and four blocks while dominating the paint against a very physical Huskies team.
After a year in which their press had dominated a majority of their opponents, it wasn’t quite clicking against the Trojans. The Packers forced 15 turnovers, but they weren’t getting their usual easy lay-ups in transition. Still, Austin showed exactly what it is made of when it finished the game on a 12-4 run and Tom Aase showed he’s not afraid to be a hero when he slammed down a game-winning alley-oop on a pin-point pass from Zach Wessels. The final play showed what the Packers have become — a composed team that doesn’t panic under high stress.
Austin's Tom Aase dunks the winning shot home off a lob pass from Zach Wessels in the final seconds of the Section 1AAA title game against New Prague Friday night in the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD • THE ROAD TO STATE
Austin Packer 2011-12 regular season statistics
The Austin Packers celebrate their last-second win over New Prague in the Section 1AAA championship game Friday night in Rochester at the Mayo Civic Center.
Congratulations
No. 21 12 24 0 3 10 5 35 20 30 11 33 4 32 22 13 25 15
Name J. Aase Z. Wessels T. Aase G. Oboyo N. Schwab B. Lukes Z. Vierkandt C. Weisert R. Synoground R. Larson T. Olmsted C. Oberbroeckling A. Nywesh J. Kempen D. Gatbel J. Nyikew N. Gasner A. Bergstrom Totals Opponents
PPG 15.3 13.3 11.6 6.0 4.3 4.2 3.8 3.2 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 63.6 47.3
REB 6.7 3.5 7.9 2.4 1.5 1.5 1.0 1.7 0.0 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.7 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 29.7 26.8
AST 0.9 4.0 1.3 1.7 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.9 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 11.3 4.1
STL 1.0 3.7 1.4 2.1 1.5 1.3 0.9 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.0
13.3 5.9
BLK 1.4 0.1 2.1 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.1 1.4
TO 1.5 2.4 2.6 1.7 0.4 1.2 0.7 1.0 1.0 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.6 0.3 0.8 0.1 0.3 0.3
12.8 19.3
— Source: Austin Packers
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Ready for state Packer head coach knows what to expect from tourney By Rocky Hulne
Austin head coach Kris Fadness celebrates the Packers' win over New Prague in the Section 1AAA title game Friday night at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. Herald file photo
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Austin head boys basketball coach Kris Fadness knows what it’s like to coach in the state basketball tournament, and he knows what its like to win a title. In his four years at Caledonia before he came to Austin in 1998, Fadness led the Warriors to state three times, and the team won a Class ‘AA’ state title in 1997. While Fadness is glad to get back to state, he’s not about to start celebrating it. “It’s great to get there and there’s a lot of hoopla with getting there,” Fadness said. “But it’s not going to feel real good if we go out Wednesday and lose. The state quarterfinal
FADNESS AT A GLANCE Career record: 272-206 Record at Austin: 175-195 State tournament appearances: 4 State titles: 1
games are an extension of the sections for me, because you’re not guaranteed an extra game until you get to the semifinals.” With just two days to prepare for a game against St. Paul Johnson Wednesday at noon, its very important for the Packers to stay focused.
“I know people are excited, but if we don’t focus on St. Paul Johnson, who is an extremely good basketball team, it’s going to be one and done, and it’s not going to feel good,” Fadness said. “You have to prepare for the next game instead of living in the past, and so far this team has done a good job of staying in the moment and not looking in the past.” If the Packers rally at state, they may end up finishing something they set out for before the season even began. “We came in here with three goals,” Fadness said. “One was to win the conference, one was to win the section and one was to win state.”
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD • THE ROAD TO STATE