By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
DE PERE – It’s been almost eight years since the De Pere and West De Pere boys’ basketball teams have played.
It was worth the wait, as a large and boisterous crowd got its money’s worth in a 72-66 Redbirds’ victory over the Phantoms Dec. 29 at De Pere High School.
“This was a great environment,” said De Pere head coach Brian Winchester. “We haven’t played this game in a long time and it was evident that the game meant something to all the fans from both sides. Both teams played hard, so hopefully a game like this will support the rivalry going forward.”
The Redbirds (5-3) got a career-high 20 points from sophomore Will Dehn, who connected on six three-pointers
Jake Kinziger (15) and Brad Nies (14) were also in double figures for De Pere, while Iowa football recruit Jake Karchinski led West De Pere (2-6) with 18 points.
De Pere had a 42-27 lead halfway through the second half, but the Phantoms went on a 28-9 run to jump ahead 55-51 with just over 5 minutes remaining.
A big three-pointer by Dehn was a part of a 14-3 surge by the Redbirds shortly thereafter. Dehn had a trio of three-pointers in the spurt.
“I thought our kids did a really good job of hanging in there,” said Winchester, whose team shot 18-23 from the free-throw line. “We seemingly had the game in hand halfway through the second half, but we had some turnovers against their 1-3-1 zone defense to let them back in the game. Then we came back and made some plays against that same defense – against a lot more pressure – and stepped up.”
Dehn, who was 6-for-8 from long range, had 8 points in the first half and 12 after intermission.
“When I see the ball, I just catch and shoot,” said Dehn. “With this game being against West De Pere, it was definitely special – one I won’t forget.”
Nies went out of the game halfway through the first half after picking up his second foul, but De Pere still took a 33-25 advantage into the break.
The Redbirds were also playing without 6-foot-6 forward Jack Coisman, who was out with a lower-leg injury.
De Pere scored 9 of the first 11 points of the second half to take its biggest lead of the game before West De Pere began its comeback.
John Edinger chipped in with 13 points for the Phantoms, while Garrett Kempen added 10.
Box score
West De Pere: 25, 41 – 66
De Pere: 33, 39 – 72