By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
ASHWAUBENON – The Ashwaubenon boys’ basketball team is on a roll.
After starting the season 4-5, including an opening-season loss to De Pere Dec. 3, the Jaguars (9-5) won their fifth consecutive game Jan. 15 with a convincing 70-53 victory over De Pere at Ashwaubenon High School.
Coming into the game, De Pere (10-2) was ranked No. 7 in the latest Wissports.net Division 1 Coaches Poll.
“This is what we’re capable of,” said Ashwaubenon head coach Mark Tomashek. “I was happy with our intensity in this big rivalry game – the boys were jacked up to play, and we executed well offensively and defensively. It’s been a difficult year, and getting the kids dialed in every game and practice has been more difficult than last year.”
Ashwaubenon’s Marcus Tomashek, who led all scorers with 27 points, scored 14 points in the first nine minutes of the game.
The 6-foot-4 junior then went scoreless the rest of the first half before scoring 13 more points after intermission.
“We’ve been waiting for this game ever since they beat us in the opener,” said Marcus Tomashek. “I’m glad we got this one. I took what the defense gave me, and my shots happened to be falling.”
The Redbirds posted a 78-69 win in the opener behind John Kinziger’s 32 points.
The sophomore came into the rematch averaging about 21 points per game, and that’s what he scored in the Jan. 15 game.
After the Jaguars jumped out to a 7-0 lead, De Pere head coach Brian Winchester called a timeout less than two minutes into the game.
After Will Dehn brought the Redbirds to within 13-8 with a 3-pointer, Ashwaubenon promptly went on a 9-0 run to bump the lead to 12.
Tomashek scored his final points of the first half to give the Jags a 27-13 lead.
Ashwaubenon’s Kyle Krueger, who also had a strong first half with 11 points, scored the final bucket before intermission to give the Jaguars a 38-26 lead at the break.
“Marcus got taller since last season and grew his game as well,” said Mark Tomashek. “He worked hard on his game over the summer. His shooting in this game helped open things up for other guys. De Pere is a great team, so this is a satisfying win. Hopefully, we can use how we played tonight and keep it going.”
During an 11-4 surge to start the second half, Tomashek dropped in seven quick points to make it 49-30.
Kinziger then scored seven of De Pere’s next 12 points to pull his team within 13, but the Jaguars responded with an 8-0 run to put the game away.
Sophomore Eli Zollar, who scored 16 points overall, dropped in a pair of buckets during the spurt.
Krueger ended with 13 points before fouling out.
Jack Jorgensen was the only other De Pere player to score in double digits with his 11 points.