Austin Packers boys’ basketball team downs Kasson-Mantorville 76-43 in Section 1AAA semi-finals

The Austin Packers boys’ basketball team, the No. 1 seed in the Section 1AAA boys’ basketball tournament played host to No. 5 seed Kasson-Mantorville in the section semi-finals at Packer Gym Saturday evening, and Okey Okey and Emmanuel Manyoun led four Packers in double figures with 19 points apiece as Austin jumped out to an 18-2 lead on their way to a 76-43 win.

The Packers came out ready to roll as Okey and Manyoun each hit early 3’s to help key the game-opening run, and Austin’s patented pressure defense tallied 19 steals and forced 14 Komet turnovers in the first half and 22 for the game.  Austin not only drained 11 3-pointers in the game, but they also attacked the rim the entire game and went 11 of 13 from the foul line on their way to the win.

Besides Okey and Manyoun both with 19 points, Dieth Duop added 13 points, Teyghan Hovland tallied a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, plus he led the Packers in steals with five, Casey Berg added five points, Kaden Mrley and Jordan Ransom each chipped in four points and Gage Manahan scored two points for Austin, who won their 12th game in a row.

The Packers, who are now 17-2 on the season will host the No. 2 seeded Byron Bears for the Section 1AAA title Thursday night at Packer Gym, as the Bears downed third-seeded Winona Saturday night 70-57.  You’ll hear the game from Packer Gym Thursday night on AM 1480 KAUS, also live worldwide on our webpage at myaustinminnesota.com, and on the I Heart Radio and Radio.com apps.