Demovsky’s late shot lifts De Pere over Ashwaubenon

ASHWAUBENON – In a sold-out Ashwaubenon High School Fieldhouse, De Pere boys’ basketball player Roan Demovsky saved his most important shot of the game with time winding down. 

The senior’s game-winning bucket with 1.6 seconds remaining helped the Redbirds hang on for a 70-68 Fox River Classic Conference (FRCC) victory over Ashwaubenon on Feb. 4. 

De Pere (16-1 overall, 12-0 FRCC) led 60-46 with three minutes remaining, only to see the Jaguars (13-4, 8-4) claw their way back to tie the game at 68-68 with less than 30 seconds remaining. 

After the Redbirds called timeout, Demovsky – who ended with 19 points – was the recipient of some good ball movement on his game-winning driving layup along the baseline. 

“The play wasn’t drawn for me, but Zach (Kinziger) made the right play and found Isaac (Herlache), who made another great play – I ended up right there,” Demovsky, a Division III commit to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, said.

On Ashwaubenon’s ensuing possession, Amari Allen’s desperation three-point attempt came after time had expired. 

“That was another great high school basketball game,” De Pere Coach Brian Winchester said. “I’m really proud of our effort.” 

Trailing by 14 points with three minutes showing on the clock, Allen, a Division I commit to the University of Alabama, took over the game for Ashwaubenon. 

Up until that point, Allen had only scored 14 points in the first 33 minutes of game action but scored 16 points – including the last 12 points for the Jags – down the stretch. 

His steal and bucket tied the game for the last time before Demovsky’s late-game heroics. 

“Obviously, we’re happy to get out of there with a win,” Winchester said. “When they tied it up, the gym was loud, and we had to get our composure back – which we did. In close games this year, we’ve thrived. There’s a lot to be learned from those last few minutes of the game.” 

Winchester said his team executed the defensive game plan “really well,” especially on the 6-foot-7 Allen. 

“Even though Amari got his points in the end, I thought we did an excellent job defensively on him for most of the game,” he said. “He does a great job getting to the rim.”

Kinziger, a Division I commit to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, ended with 22 points for the Redbirds, while Pryce Gregoire also scored in double figures with 13 points, including a trio of three-pointers. 

Ashwaubenon guard Elijah Fenner had a big night with his 19 points and five three-pointers, while Carson Dorgu chipped in with 10 points. 

In a Jan. 10 game at De Pere, the Redbirds eked out an 83-82 thriller over the Jaguars. 

Allen poured in a game-high 43 in the loss, while Kinziger had 33 for De Pere.