DeLaSalle Islanders 50 Austin Packers 33

Bigger. Faster. Stronger. And that's just the beginning. DeLaSalle dominated every aspect of tonight's Class AAA title game and easily defeated the Austin Packers 50-33. Yes, Austin ran out to a 5-0 lead but the Islanders surged in front by the 13 minute mark and though Austin tied it at 11 and 13, DeLaSalle never trailed after that.

DeLaSalle forced 15 Austin turnovers while committing 10, and out-scored the Packers off those turnovers 20-9. They out-rebounded Austin 36-22 including 13-3 on the offensive end and out-scored the Packers 14-4 on 2nd chance points. Austin shot 50 percent in the 1st half, yet trailed 28-17, but the Islanders stifling defense then limited the Packers to 27 percent shooting in the second half.

All-stater Joe Aase hit just 1-of-10 FG for 2 points. His 3 point shot at 3:41 typified Austin's night. Down and out. (Halfway down, all the way around the rim, then out.) Brother Tom missed a wide open dunk at 7:43. It was that kind of night. At times it was all Austin could do to complete a pass and maintain possession of the ball.

DeLaSalle, meanwhile, got its running and jumping game going in the latter stages of the 1st half to go from that 13-13 tie to 28-17 at the half, out-scoring Austin 17-4 off turnovers and 9-2 off the offensive glass. In the 2nd half Austin seemed more intent on slowing DeLaSalle down than on scoring itself, staying in its zone defense to the bitter end as the Islanders took what the defense was giving: Time off the clock.

Reid Travis finished with 17 points and 12 boards while Luke Scott added 10. Tom Aase led Austin with 14 points.

Player of the Day: Reid Travis




The Austin Packers jumped out to 5-0 and 7-3 leads, but the DeLaSalle Islanders quickly responded, using their speed and athleticism to force Austin turnovers and to begin scoring off in transition and off the offensive glass. Reid Travis opened DeLaSalle's scoring with a 2 + 1 off the offensive board, then scored a pair of transition layups off the Austin turnover to put DeLaSalle ahead 11-9.

Austin came back to tie at 11 and 13, but DeLaSalle scored on 3 straight possessions (and 2 more Austin turnovers) to lead 20-13. Bret Lukes and Tom Aase scored to get Austin within 20-17 at 6:05 but the Packers then failed to score the rest of the 1st half. Travis scored a pair of throws off a steal, then quickly got another steal and assist to Geno Crandall, and Crandall added another bucket. Travis scored off yet another Austin turnover (Packer guard Zach Wessels 2nd charge) to make it 28-17 at the half.

The Islanders had 8 offensive rebounds to Austin's 1, and outscored the Packers 9-2 on 2nd chance points. Meanwhile, DeLaSalle had 5 turnovers, Austin 12, and the Islanders had a big 17-4 edge in points off turnovers. DeLaSalle almost doubled Austin's shot total, 30-16, and the Packers only shot 1 FT. By the end of the half it was all Austin could do to make a pass and maintain control of the ball, while DeLaSalle was getting good, squared-up looks at the basket.

Still, Austin is shooting 50 percent and the Islanders 40, but the shot differential is too big.