By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
SUAMICO – The Bay Port girls’ basketball team remained undefeated with a 69-53 victory over Ashwaubenon Dec. 18 in a Fox River Classic Conference game played at Bay Port High School.
The No. 4-ranked Pirates (7-0 overall, 6-0 FRCC) had a 23-point second-half lead dwindled to 10 points late but closed the game on a 6-0 run to secure the victory.
“I think overall it was a good win for us,” said Bay Port head coach Kati Coleman, whose team forced 21 turnovers. “I think Ashwaubenon is a lot better than their record shows. They are young and they will be a team that can win some tough games.”
The Pirates used their suffocating defense early on to make life difficult for the Jags, jumping out to a quick 14-2 lead.
Ashwaubenon (3-6, 2-4) got to within six at 21-15, but that’s as close as they got the rest of the evening.
“I just thought we allowed Bay Port to push our offense out and we played scared,” said Ashwaubenon head coach Nicky VanLaanen. “We weren’t as aggressive as we have been in the past. Their ball pressure and aggressiveness took us out of what we wanted to do. We are a young team that will get better.”
With Bay Port leading 53-30 in the second half, the Jaguars went on a 23-10 run late in the game to make things interesting.
“Our kids don’t give up,” VanLaanen added. “We have to figure out how to throw the first punch – we’ve started slowly in many games this year, and that’s part of being young I think.”
Mady Draak and freshman Emma Krueger led the Pirates with 13 points apiece, while Emma Nagel and Reagan McIntyre tallied 11 each.
Krueger was a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, as Bay Port was 7-for-13 as a team.
Alaina Abel also had a strong game with her eight points and five assists.
The Pirates were 16-of-24 from the free-throw line, while Ashwaubenon attempted just two free throws all night.
The Jaguars were led by freshman Lily Hansford, who had 15 points on five made three-pointers.
Anna Wendorf chipped in with nine points, while Lydia Schaible added eight.
Box score
Ashwaubenon: 23, 30 – 53
Bay Port: 37, 32 – 69