The Austin Packers won seven of the ten section titles the previous decade. They are coming off a 17-3 season in 2020-21. With Kris Fadness leading the way the Packers are always a contender. Key Wins in 20-21 (17-3): Mankato…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inThe Austin Packers won seven of the ten section titles the previous decade. They are coming off a 17-3 season in 2020-21. With Kris Fadness leading the way the Packers are always a contender.
Key Wins in 20-21 (17-3): Mankato West, Rochester Century, Owatonna, Rochester Mayo
Oops: Byron, Northfield, Mankato East
Moving On: The Packers lost their top three players from a season ago: leading scorer
Emmanuel Manyuon
Emmanuel
Manyuon
6'1" | SG
Austin | 2022
MN
transferred to a prep school in Arizona, best all around player
Teyghan Hovland
Teyghan
Hovland
6'3" | SF
Austin | 2021
State
MN
is now at St. Cloud State on the baseball team, all league player
Okey Okey
Okey
Okey
6'2" | SG
Austin | 2021
State
MN
graduated as well. The Packers are known for their quick reloads but this quick reload might be a bit tougher than some others, but Austin has pieces to make the transition easier. Part time starter Dieth Duop, reserve forward Jordan Ransom, and reserve guard Casey Berg both graduated as well.
Returning Starters (1): The lone returning starter for Austin is Gage Manahan, a 5’10 senior point guard that handled the ball for the team last year and was a key defender. Gage was an all around producer averaging 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.4 steals a game. Handles pressure well and is a good passer.
Reserves Playing a Bigger Role: Sixth man
Victor Idris
Victor
Idris
6'4" | SF
Austin | 2022
State
MN
is a starting caliber talent that has the physical abilities at 6’4 to be a big time impact player. Idris, a senior, is a versatile defender that was the team’s top rebounder a season ago. Idris was a starter for part of last year but he missed a lot of time to injury. This is a returning starter caliber player with a lot of potential.
Potentials from the JV: Junior 6’3 guard
Cham Okey
Cham
Okey
6'3" | SG
Austin | 2023
State
MN
is next to step into the spotlight. Okey has the abilities to work with Idris and Manahan to be a trio of players that can be very productive. Okey is coming off an excellent summer and looks to have the potential to attack and be a double figure finisher.
The group of Packer reserves include four seniors ready to step into roles: Junior Ledji (6’3 F), Daniel Browne (6’0 F), Kaden Murley (6’2 F), and Jared Lilemon (5’10 G). Coach Fadness can pick from this group for the other two starters and reserves or he can go to juniors
Buai Duop
Buai
Duop
6'4" | PF
Austin | 2023
State
MN
(6’3 F) and/or Jack Lang (5’10 G) to fill those spots as well. Each of these players were on the JV a season ago and are likely to step into varsity roles.
Final Thoughts: Austin will still be a top Big Nine contender, even in a season where Mankato East, Mankato West, and Owatonna are expected to be state tournament teams. The Packers have three key players that they can lean on and the reserves always seem to step in ready to play their role and make a big impact.