A late first-period run by Rochester John Marshall left Austin looking up at the Rockets for the remainder -- even more so than before.

John Marshall, the fifth-ranked team in Class AAAA, scored the final five points of the first quarter and put the game away with 6-foot 11-inch center Longar Longar in the second period of a 52-32 Big Nine Conference loss for the Packers at home Friday night.

Austin's Hall of Fame induction ceremony at halftime was one of few bright spots for the Packers, who fell to 6-9 overall and 3-7 in Big Nine play. Longar scored 10 of his game-high 14 points in the second quarter for the Rockets (12-3, 8-1), who stand head and shoulders above the rest of the conference.

"Their zone defense was too sound tonight," said AHS coach Kris Fadness.

John Marshall's 2-3 zone extends as far out as its interior defense -- 6-11 Longar -- will allow it. The Packers managed to hit four three-pointers on the night but could not put together a consistent threat from inside or outside.

Guards Lou Cha and Cory Lott scored all of JM's 18 first-quarter points, helping create fast-break opportunities by pressuring the Packer ballhandlers into turnovers.

"They were really playing well, their guards were playing well, tough to beat," Fadness said.

Cha hit a field goal in the lane and Lott ended the first quarter on a three-pointer to open a 13-12 Rocket lead to six before the first break. Longar took the initiative to score his points in the second quarter, and Austin was limited to single-digit scoring for the first of three quarters.

"I was happy with the game, but again we turned the ball over too much," Fadness added.

John Marshall made 48 percent of its field-goal attempts (24-50), while Austin put up only 37 shots. The shorter Packers surprisingly outrebounded JM, 29-25, with 6-5 center Jon Bain leading the way with seven for AHS. Sophomore Alex Kaiser grabbed six boards in his second game on the varsity squad.

Bain led Austin with 11 points and John Duren added nine. The Packers take a week off before traveling to Rochester for a rematch with Mayo on Friday. AHS won the first meeting, 49-37.

Boxscore:

JOHN MARSHALL (52) -- Lou Cha 12, Cory Lott 7, Longar Longar 14, Cody Woiwood 8, Bill Hoffa 4, Mike Polt 3, Matt Merschbrock 4, Joel Luedke 0, Sam Ngure 0, Greg Polt 0, Quentin Graham 0, Brad Nigbur 0, Brett Percival 0, Arol Longar 0.

AUSTIN (32) -- Kyle Rizzi 2, Joey Kroc 0, Tucker Schieck 2, Jon Bain 11, John Duren 9, Alex Kaiser 5, Jordan VanProosdy 3, Mike Tray 0, Jon Barnett 0.

J.Marshall1817710--52

Austin12749--32

Three-pointers--JM 3 (Cha, Lott, M.Polt); Austin 4 (Duren 2, Bain, Kaiser). Free-throws--JM 1-6, Austin 4-8. Rebounds--JM 25, Austin 29 (Bain 7).