Gritty Austin Packers squad heads to state tournament

The austin packers girl's basketball team has felt the ups and downs of a pandemic shortened season.

Kimt news 3 sports zach gilleland joins me now as the team heads to the state tournament this week.xx (?

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" southeastern minnesota have a star player you can lean on when you need them the most.

The austin packers girl's basketball team is built different ?

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"* they don't h that star player on their roster ?

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"* but a deep team of players that can beat you.

This team is as tough and tenacious as they come in the area ?

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"* and they're looki for more as they kick start the state tournament this week.xx "we have one senior this year and her one word is grit and i think that really defines a lot of what these girls have shown over the course of the year."

The austin packers fought tooth and nail to get back to the state tournament for the second time in three seasons.

After bowing out in the first round in 2019 to robbinsdale cooper ?

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"* the hoping for a longer stay in the tourney this time around.

"the first year we were there, we were pretty satisfied with just getting there but this year we're hoping to get a few more wins and do some damage.

It was fun going the first time and getting to go again is a great opportunity."

Austin lost nearly 30 percent of its regular season games due to covid 19.

Head coach eric zoske said he's proud of the way his team fought throught the year.

"through all the uncertainty, all the adjusting.

It's a great pleasure to coach a group like this that can battle of the uncertainties and the changes and then show great success at the end of the year."

Armed by the dudycha twins ?

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"* the packers have only one senior on the roster ?

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"* elysee hebrink.

Her leadership as well as former packers zoske said helped pave the way for this group.

"we've had this success because we've had a strong senior class the last couple of years.

This year we only have one senior but she's one of the best we've had since i've been here."

This year's state tournament will look different ?

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"* austin play their first round matchup at williams arena ?

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"* but mayo high school.

Hope and emma said it will feel different without a roaring crowd ?

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"* but it won't cha their focus.

"it's a big game so it's a little more special than a regular game it's not like any big setting we were hoping to be in but still making it to the state tournament and getting the opportunity to