State-ranked Austin Packers girls’ basketball team opens 2019-2020 season with a rout of Rochester Century

The defending Section 1AAA champion Austin Packers girl’s basketball team, ranked No. 7 in the state in the first poll of the season opened the 2019-2020 campaign on the road Thursday night with a Big 9 Conference matchup in Rochester against the Century Panthers, and it was the Packers outscoring Century 45-9 in the first half on their way to a 71-39 rout.

Ten different players scored for the Packers in the lopsided win, including returning guard Hope Dudycha, who led the way for the Packers with 20 points.  Emma Dudycha and Kyra Walters, two other returnees from last year’s state tournament squad were also in double figures with 12 and 10 points, respectivley, while Elysie Hebrink and Colie Justice added 6 points apiece.  Oliva Walsh added 5 points for Austin, Emily Bollum and Reana Schmidt chipped in 4 points apiece and Cassidy Schute and Ellie Tupy each added 3 points.

The 1-0 Packers will be right back into action tonight (Friday) in Kasson against the Komets of Kasson/Mantorville, and will then turn right around and play Big Lake in the Hopkins Tip-Off Classic Saturday night at 6:30.  Austin will play two more road games next Tuesday at Byron and Saturday at Mankato East before their home opener Tuesday, December 3rd versus Albert Lea.