Aases make Austin a hoops hot spot
If you are looking for pizza in Austin, Minn., grab a "Mama Mia" at Steve's Pizza - it's one of the best pies in the universe.
How about hometown grilled food? Kenny's Oak Grill is where it's at.
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Why is this important? Because college coaches will be heading to Austin on a regular basis the next couple seasons to see Joe Aase (and other Packers), and they will need a place to dine.
The Packers return all Big Nine first teamer Joe Aase (14 points and six rebounds a game as a sophomore last winter), Tom Aase (nine points and seven rebounds also in his sophomore year), and point guard Zach Wessels (9.5 points and four rebounds as a freshman in 2010-11).
Six-foot-7 Joe Aase and 6-foot-5 Tom Aase, both power forwards, are already receiving recruiting interest after standout summers with the Minnesota Fury Gold.
"Joe Aase got his first offer tonight from Minnesota State-Mankato," said Minnesota Fury director Ben Davis last Sunday evening.
In addition to the offer from the division two Mavericks, Aase has widespread interest after schools watched the rangy forward hit with consistent range all summer. Minnesota Preps caught up with a source close to the recruitment this afternoon.
"Here are the schools expressing interest in Joe," said the source. "Joe visited Minnesota State-Mankato for an unofficial visit September 10th and was offered September 18th. An unofficial visit is tentatively scheduled to Wisconsin October 15th.
"The Nebraska-Omaha assistant coach was in Austin for open gym on September 11th. Joe is tentatively scheduled for an unofficial visit to the school on November 17th.
"Other teams that have shown interest are Minnesota, Creighton, Northern Iowa, Lehigh, Cal Poly, Lafayette, Bucknell, Illinois-Chicago, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, South Dakota, Northern Colorado, Northern State, Santa Clara, and Holy Cross."
Tom Aase, one of the hardest working power forwards one can find, is also hearing from schools.
"Tom has got some interest from Northern State, the University of Mary, Bucknell, Sioux Falls, and some others," said the source.
Austin won 14 games last season and are expected to improve on that total behind the Aase cousins, Wessels, and proven Coach Kris Fadness this winter.