The best part about the state tournament is all the story lines for each one of the 20 teams that earn their way to the big dance. Each team is different - from the big Milwaukee city school to the little Division 4 towns that seem to bring their entire counties to Madison to watch.
This area is no different. Both Monroe and Black Hawk are filled with interesting story lines. For Monroe, the first that comes to mind is the pending retirement of girls head coach Kevin Keen after 22 years, eight state appearances and 13 conference championships. Secondly, the graduation of Monroe's "Big Three," Jamie Armstrong, Ashley Hermanson and Gwen Sutter.
Keen has been a staple in the Monroe school district since before I was born - 24 years ago - and I was still over a year away from kindergarten (that I attended with his son, Eric) by the time he took over the girls program and led them to their first state championship. Since that time, Monroe has been a premier program in the state, winning three state titles. The last of which came when this year's "Big Three" were just sophomores.
That's right, the leaders on the floor still had two years left to show off their skills after they won a state title. In case you didn't know, the "Big Three" have been on varsity since their freshmen year, starting every game they could. Sutter has been the ironwoman, not missing a game in her entire high school career. That is 101 games thus far, with two more possibly on the way. The "Big Three's" cumulative record since they entered high school? They stand a striking 88-13. I don't know what is more impressive - averaging over 25 games per season or the fact that they only have 13 losses.
The "Big Three" have had targets on their backs ever since that first title, and have lost just four total games since - the most devastating was at state a year ago in the semifinals. That hasn't stopped them from being ranked No. 1 or 2 all season and the heavy favorite to carry the gold ball home one more time.
My only disappointment is only getting to watch them the last two seasons.
Monroe will be losing its most storied girls coach and its winningest class, which will surely send three, if not four, athletes to play at the collegiate level. Armstrong will go to George Washington University on a volleyball scholarship, Hermanson is headed to the University of Nebraska-Kearney, Sutter is undecided on where she will attend school (but will certainly find a spot on a roster) and fellow senior Chelsea Brice has made enough noise to attract some attention at the D-III and junior college level.
This is a special weekend in Cheesemakerland. If Monroe can get past Winneconne it will take on either New Berlin Eisenhower or Altoona - which Monroe knocked off in the semifinals back in 2008. Altoona returns just two members of that squad, whereas Sutter, Hermanson, Armstrong and Kyleigh Sellnow worked their way to a state title berth.
Sellnow, a junior, is also a star in the making and has been starting since her freshman year. That's three straight seasons with the same four starters.
For Black Hawk, the ever-eventful first school championship is just a pair of wins away. The Warriors graduated four of their top guards, including the then-team scoring leader Paige Butler. Kim Wellnitz took over command, demanding respect and attention from everyone on the floor. Wellnitz has been coach Mike Flanagan's coach on the court, maintaining the defensive and keeping up the offensive pressure.
Wellnitz, a UW-Platteville recruit, has started since her freshman year, which was also Flanagan's first as the Warriors' head coach. Together, the two have a special bond. The fact that Wellnitz' younger sister Melissa also is on the team - even younger sister Jen is a manager - makes the second-straight trip to state even more special to the Black Hawk community.
Usually I try to hold back smiles and emotion when covering games, especially if it is two local teams, because I am supposed to be an unbiased reporter. But I am from Monroe, graduated from MHS, stood front row of the student section for four years and screamed my lungs out while wearing red (and other crazy attire, which I highly recommend the student sections bring back for the state tournament). My parents are also graduates of Black Hawk. So basically, I have no say in the matter - the energy forces surrounding this world are gathering all at once - one more time.
Will Monroe get back next year, minus a large turnover and a new coach? What will happen with Black Hawk? Will they walk away with a gold ball in hand and return as contenders again next year? You never know about next year. Live it up, stateline. You don't want to take all of this success for granted and always think these teams will be back next year.
As the great philosopher Ferris Bueller once said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
- Adam Krebs is the Monroe Times sports editor and can be reached at sportseditor@
themonroetimes.com or at 328-4202 ext. 33
This area is no different. Both Monroe and Black Hawk are filled with interesting story lines. For Monroe, the first that comes to mind is the pending retirement of girls head coach Kevin Keen after 22 years, eight state appearances and 13 conference championships. Secondly, the graduation of Monroe's "Big Three," Jamie Armstrong, Ashley Hermanson and Gwen Sutter.
Keen has been a staple in the Monroe school district since before I was born - 24 years ago - and I was still over a year away from kindergarten (that I attended with his son, Eric) by the time he took over the girls program and led them to their first state championship. Since that time, Monroe has been a premier program in the state, winning three state titles. The last of which came when this year's "Big Three" were just sophomores.
That's right, the leaders on the floor still had two years left to show off their skills after they won a state title. In case you didn't know, the "Big Three" have been on varsity since their freshmen year, starting every game they could. Sutter has been the ironwoman, not missing a game in her entire high school career. That is 101 games thus far, with two more possibly on the way. The "Big Three's" cumulative record since they entered high school? They stand a striking 88-13. I don't know what is more impressive - averaging over 25 games per season or the fact that they only have 13 losses.
The "Big Three" have had targets on their backs ever since that first title, and have lost just four total games since - the most devastating was at state a year ago in the semifinals. That hasn't stopped them from being ranked No. 1 or 2 all season and the heavy favorite to carry the gold ball home one more time.
My only disappointment is only getting to watch them the last two seasons.
Monroe will be losing its most storied girls coach and its winningest class, which will surely send three, if not four, athletes to play at the collegiate level. Armstrong will go to George Washington University on a volleyball scholarship, Hermanson is headed to the University of Nebraska-Kearney, Sutter is undecided on where she will attend school (but will certainly find a spot on a roster) and fellow senior Chelsea Brice has made enough noise to attract some attention at the D-III and junior college level.
This is a special weekend in Cheesemakerland. If Monroe can get past Winneconne it will take on either New Berlin Eisenhower or Altoona - which Monroe knocked off in the semifinals back in 2008. Altoona returns just two members of that squad, whereas Sutter, Hermanson, Armstrong and Kyleigh Sellnow worked their way to a state title berth.
Sellnow, a junior, is also a star in the making and has been starting since her freshman year. That's three straight seasons with the same four starters.
For Black Hawk, the ever-eventful first school championship is just a pair of wins away. The Warriors graduated four of their top guards, including the then-team scoring leader Paige Butler. Kim Wellnitz took over command, demanding respect and attention from everyone on the floor. Wellnitz has been coach Mike Flanagan's coach on the court, maintaining the defensive and keeping up the offensive pressure.
Wellnitz, a UW-Platteville recruit, has started since her freshman year, which was also Flanagan's first as the Warriors' head coach. Together, the two have a special bond. The fact that Wellnitz' younger sister Melissa also is on the team - even younger sister Jen is a manager - makes the second-straight trip to state even more special to the Black Hawk community.
Usually I try to hold back smiles and emotion when covering games, especially if it is two local teams, because I am supposed to be an unbiased reporter. But I am from Monroe, graduated from MHS, stood front row of the student section for four years and screamed my lungs out while wearing red (and other crazy attire, which I highly recommend the student sections bring back for the state tournament). My parents are also graduates of Black Hawk. So basically, I have no say in the matter - the energy forces surrounding this world are gathering all at once - one more time.
Will Monroe get back next year, minus a large turnover and a new coach? What will happen with Black Hawk? Will they walk away with a gold ball in hand and return as contenders again next year? You never know about next year. Live it up, stateline. You don't want to take all of this success for granted and always think these teams will be back next year.
As the great philosopher Ferris Bueller once said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
- Adam Krebs is the Monroe Times sports editor and can be reached at sportseditor@
themonroetimes.com or at 328-4202 ext. 33
