BY RICH PALZEWIC
CORRESPONDENT

SUAMICO – After some intense games during the past few weeks, the Bay Port boys’ basketball team was able to relax just a little bit.

In a 76-33 Fox River Classic Conference victory over Ashwaubenon Jan. 4, all 13 Pirates in uniform saw playing time, while 10 found the scoring column.

Dating back to last season, No. 5 ranked Bay Port (7-1 overall, 5-0 FRCC) has won 23 straight conference games.

“It was nice to see some guys step up and to get everyone some playing time,” said Bay Port head coach Nate Rykal. “It’s also great to see our guys on the bench have fun with it and cheer for their teammates like they do for them.”

Jack Plumb led the Pirates with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Deland Phillips (11) and Cade Johnson (10) also scored in double digits. Cordell Tinch and Carson Schroeder each added nine points for Bay Port, who shot 55 percent from the floor.

In comparison, Ashwaubenon (1-9, 1-5), who was led by Anthony Guarascio’s 18 points, shot just 26 percent (12-of-47) from the field.

“The Guarascio kid started off really hot,” Rykal said of the 6-foot-4 senior, who had five three pointers in the first half. “Hopefully Ashwaubenon starts to play a little better, but it’s hard when you are missing one of your best players (in Bryant Phillips). Obviously we are an athletic team and that made it difficult for them.”

The Pirates led 4-0 in the first 30 seconds of the game on a Plumb basket, which was followed by a monster dunk from Tinch. With the score knotted at eight, Bay Port closed the half with a 37-15 surge to lead 45-23 at the break.

The Pirates’ starting five played a few minutes into the second half before the bench played the remainder of the game. Once the first group came out, Ashwaubenon coach Chris Karcz began subbing freely as well.

“I thought that was a very classy move,” Rykal said of Karcz taking out his starters when Bay Port did. “I was really happy with that because a lot of times when you’re up teams will leave their leading scorer in. I get kind of annoyed when coaches do that, but Chris is a great coach and does things the right way. I know what it’s like to be outmanned and it has nothing to do with his coaching. They will turn things around, but it’s tough right now for them.”

Besides Guarascio’s big night, the only other Jags to score multiple baskets were Seth Muscavitch and Luke Hansford, who each had four points.

“We came into the game knowing that Bay Port was a tough team down low,” said Guarascio, who is averaging over 18 points per game. “My teammates set good screens for me all game and that gave me the opportunity to get open and get some good looks.”

Seniors Isaac Krause and Ian Melchior didn’t suit up for Bay Port and each will miss some significant time according to Rykal.

“Isaac broke his hand in practice and will be out four to six weeks, while Melchior I’m not sure on,” added Rykal. “It looks like a sprain right now, but there was so much swelling it’s hard to tell – I just don’t know yet, but it’s not pretty.”

Box Score
Ashwaubenon: 23, 10 – 33
Bay Port: 46, 30 – 76

ASH: Cox 3, Baierl 2, Muscavitch 4, Guarascio 18, Hansford 4, Steinfest 1, MacLean 1; 3-pt: Cox 1, Guarascio 5; FG: 12-47 (26%); FT: 3-10 (30%); Rebounds: 26; Turnovers: 17; Steals: 7.

BP: Tinch 9, Phillips 11, Johnson 10, Nagel 6, Plumb 14, King 7, Mooren 5, Schroeder 9, LaMue 3 Coogan 2; 3-pt: Tinch 1, Johnson 2, Nagel 2, Plumb 1, Mooren 1, Schroeder 1, LaMue 1; FG: 31-56 (55%); FT: 5-9 (56%); Rebounds: 42; Turnovers: 11; Steals: 11.