Young Packers hang with Rockets, but fall short in the second half
Published 10:39 pm Friday, December 8, 2023
Austin’s Mackenzie Brede with the early lay-up ahead of Rochester John Marshall’s Jazmin Daing during the first half Friday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Quinn Osgood pulls up for a three-pointer during the first half against Rochester John Marshall in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Addison Walsh is fouled cutting through the lane during the first half against Rochester John Marshall Friday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Gracie Arndt battles inside for a two against Rochester John Marshall Friday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Marissa Shute is pressured by Rochester John Marshall’s Kiera Derr during the first half Friday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Nora Sand shoots between Rochester John Marshall’s Alayna Meister, left, and Ciara Seifert, right, during the first half Friday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Addison Walsh pulls up off the break against Rochester John Marshall’s Alayna Meister during the first half Friday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Gracie Arndt with the shot against Rochester John Marshall Friday night in Ove Berven Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
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The Austin girls basketball team played a strong first half, but an early lull in the second half slowed it down as the Packers lost to Rochester John Marshall 72-62 in Ove Berven Gym Friday.
The Packers (1-3 overall) led 40-33 after a put-back by sophomore Gracie Arndt in the first half, but JM pulled to within 43-41 at the half and the Rockets scored the first nine points of the second half to take the lead for good.
Austin junior Marissa Shute led the Packers with 17 points, four rebounds and three steals. She has stepped into a leadership role this season as the Packers have a young roster with a lot to learn.
“We have a lot of new players on this team and a lot of people are still trying to figure things out,” Shute said. “We had a slow start to the second half, but then we got back into it. We just need to carry our momentum over to the second half.”
The Rockets scored the first 10 points of the game, but Austin bounced back with an 11-0 run. Shute hit a pair of three-pointers during that run.
“We’re getting there,” Austin head coach Eric Zoske said. “We’re so young and Century and JM both made us grow. I don’t know what (JM) was expecting, but I like to think we gave them a bit more than they were expecting. I’m proud of the girls.”
JM freshman Jazmin Daing put up 29 points and she nailed a dagger three-pointer from deep outside the arc to put JM up 60-54 with 6:05 left in the game.
“We lost her a couple of times on defense and that can’t happen. We have to talk and communicate on defense,” Zoske said. “Then she came back and buried a 25-footer in our face, so it’s like ‘well, she is pretty good.’”
Ajiem Agwa finished with 13 points, eight steals, nine rebounds and six assists for the Packers and Quinn Osgood scored 19 points.
JM (4-0 overall) had a couple of familiar faces in its lineup as former Packer Kiru Othow was in the starting lineup for the Rockets and former Packer Nyabol Mourwal came off the bench.
“We definitely wish we still had them here, but it is very cool to see them all succeeding over there, doing what they do best,” Shute said.
Friday’s night’s game also served as Austin youth Basketball night, and young players were able to watch the game and get autographs from the varsity players when it was done.
“I want to thank all of the AYB coaches and players. There is no way we have a program like we do without having AYB,” Zoske said.
John Marshall 41 31 – 72
Austin 43 19 – 62
Austin scoring: Quinn Osgood, 19; Marissa Shute, 17; Ajiem Agwa, 13; Atee Obang, 3; Addison Walsh, 2
