Allen, hot shooting from Vang leads Ashwaubenon to victory over Bay Port

SUAMICO – Ashwaubenon boys basketball player Amari Allen — a Division I commit to the University of Alabama — got his points, but it was junior Kingston Vang who made the difference in the Jaguars’ 81-74 Fox River Classic Conference victory over Bay Port Thursday, Dec. 12.

Vang hit five three-pointers in the second half as part of his 15-point night to help Ashwaubenon stay undefeated overall (4-0) and win its FRCC opener.

“Bay Port is our rival — it’s been that way for many years,” Vang said. “There’s always energy from both teams — it was a fun time.”

The Pirates (1-3 overall, 0-1 FRCC) led 43-42 with 12 minutes remaining in the game before Vang caught fire.

The junior guard hit three consecutive three-pointers to help the Jaguars jump ahead, 51-45.

After Allen hit a three, Vang connected again on a three to bump the lead to 57-46.

Vang hit his fifth three-pointer of the night a few minutes later.

“I thank my team,” Vang said. “They find me open and I know I have to hit the shots — shooters shoot. Obviously, Amari is a four-star recruit to Alabama, but we have a lot of other good players, too.”

Allen ended the night with 37 points, including 14 free throws.

He ended the game by scoring the Jaguars' last six points from the charity stripe.

“Tonight was a great atmosphere, but we knew it would be coming in,” first-year Ashwaubenon Coach DeVante Blanks said. “Bay Port plays hard, but we’re grateful to come out with a win.”

With the Pirates up 4-2, Allen scored the Jaguars' next seven points, including two on a breakaway dunk.

Bay Port’s Connor Gering pumped in 12 first-half points, including the first seven points of the game for the Pirates.

In the second half, Bay Port’s Mondes Kelly drove the lane and threw down a dunk of his own giving his team a one-point lead, 38-37.

The game stayed close until Vang got hot.

The Pirates got to within 74-71 late in the game, but the Jaguars ended the contest with a 7-3 spurt to seal the victory.

Gehring ended with 17 for Bay Port, while Maddox Cornette added 15 on five three-pointers.

Caden Hendricks (14), Kelly (13) and Sawyer Durkee (13) also scored in double figures for the Pirates.

Elijah Fenner added 16 points for Ashwaubenon.