By Greg Bates
Sports Editor
GREEN BAY – When John Kinziger hit a jumper in the second half, the De Pere senior broke the boys’ basketball career scoring record.
Kinziger needed just seven points heading into his team’s game at Notre Dame Academy on Tuesday night. The senior scored 14 points as De Pere beat the Tritons, 73-43.
Kinziger finished the night with 1,728 career points. Brevin Pritzl, a 2015 De Pere graduate, previously held the school record at 1,720 points.
“Holding the scoring record means a lot to me, but I wouldn’t be in the position I am if it weren’t for my teammates,” said Kinziger, who signed with Illinois State in November. “They have done a good job getting me open and giving good passes. I am really excited about tonight and ready to keep it rolling this season.”
De Pere (8-0, 5-0 Fox River Classic Conference) got Notre Dame’s best to start the game.
Up 16-11, the Redbirds went on a 10-3 with Ben Willihnganz draining a 3-pointer to go up double digits, 26-14. Notre Dame (4-4, 2-2 FRCC) ended the half on a 7-0 spurt as Henry Weber scored five points to make it 26-21.
De Pere wasted little time in the second half getting going on offense. It went on a 15-3 run as Zach Kinziger scored multiple baskets to put his team up, 41-24.
Sitting just one point away from breaking the program scoring record, John Kinziger hit his patiented jump from about 12 feet. De Pere coach Brian Winchester called a timeout so his star player could be recognized for his accomplishment. Kinziger received a standing ovation from the crowd as the record was announced.
“Very happy and proud of John for his accomplishment,” Winchester said. “He is a great representative of our program, school and community. More than the record, he values being a great teammate and team success. He has worked extremely hard and is deserving of his place in De Pere basketball history.”
De Pere — which forced Notre Dame into 15 turnovers — finished off a dominating second half, outscoring Notre Dame 47-22 in the final 18 minutes. The Redbirds shot 56% from field, while the Tritons hit 34% of their shots.
Zach Kinziger scored a game-high 24 points and added five assists. Will Hornseth had a well-rounded game with 12 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Notre Dame was led by Andrew Rader, who came off the bench to score 12 points.
*Greg Bates photo