Rochester John Marshall at No. 4-3A Austin
7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 17

Just three years ago, Rochester John Marshall won only one game all winter. Last year, Austin only lost one game (the Class 3A final to DeLaSalle). But both programs are much closer in status than that now. The Rockets have surged under second-year coach Kirk Thompson, who won a state title at Plainview-Elgin-Millville in 2012. Ngor Barnaba, Deonte Moore and Michael Hurt lead an athletic team that has won four straight and looks like a state contender out of Section 1AAAA. Austin knows all about the state tournament, having made two straight trips under coach Kris Fadness. The Packers are guard-heavy after graduating forwards Tom Aase and Joe Aase, as senior point guard Zach Wessels, a Sioux Falls recruit, runs the show.