MONROE - The 3-point shot in prep basketball has become a weapon that a growing number of teams in Wisconsin are becoming more prolific in shooting this season.

Former Monroe sharpshooter Mitch Tordoff still holds the WIAA Division 2 state record for most 3-pointers made in a state tournament game (8) in 2009 and most 3-pointers made in a state tournament (17). The Cheesemakers state runner-up team in 2009 also set a record for the most 3-pointers attempted in a state game (32).

The National Federation of High School Athletic Associations implemented the 3-point shot in the 1987-88 season. Shots made behind the 19-foot, 9-inch line count for 3 points.

"It's the evolution of the game," Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said. "For a long time, it (3-pointer) was thought of as a bad shot and not a high-percentage shot. We try to have an overall shooting percentage of 40 percent or better. I think if you are shooting them at a 30 to 35 percent, that is a pretty good clip."

The Monroe girls basketball team (9-1), ranked No. 2 in the Division 2 WisSports.net Coaches Poll, is shooting 35.8 percent as a team from 3-point range this season. That's a significant boost from last year's 3-point percentage of 27.3. Monroe has four players shooting 34 percent or better from beyond the arc with a minimum of 10 three-pointers taken this year.

Monroe junior point guard Sydney Hilliard, who averages a team-high 19.5 points per game, leads the team in 3-point accuracy at 45 percent (9 of 20). Sophomore Grace Tostrud is second on the team, shooting 39 percent from behind the arc (16 of 41).

Junior teammate Emily Benzschawel is shooting 36.6 percent from 3-point range (15 of 41), and senior Sydney Mathiason is shooting 34.1 percent (14 of 41). Sydney Mathiason has spent four summers in her high school career perfecting her outside shooting as a 6-1 player.

"I have practiced it (3-point shot) a lot," Sydney Mathiason said. "It helps to expand my game."

Having a player like Hilliard, who has the ability to drive to the basket and garners a lot of attention from defenses, has helped other players get more open jump shots from long range. Having multiple players with the ability to make a 3-pointer has paid off for the Cheesemakers this year.

"If one of us is having a bad night, we know one of us will put it up and shoot well," Sydney Mathiason said. "Everyone on our team is talented. The defense has to decide who they are going to stop. If the person is driving into the lane and if they go to stop, then we can kick it out for a 3. We have a lot of people who can make it from there."

Another team that relies on the 3-point shot is the Black Hawk girls basketball team, which is ranked No. 1 in the Division 5 WisSports.net Coaches Poll. The Warriors (9-0) are making an average of 10 three-pointers per game. As a team, Black Hawk is shooting 39.8 percent from behind the arc and taking an average of 25.1 threes per game. Sophomore Natalie Leuzinger, who is averaging 19.9 points per game, is shooting 52 percent from 3-point range (26 of 50) and is averaging about three 3s per game.

"I didn't go out for volleyball, and I worked on my 3-point shot to try to get more consistent and get my range going," Leuzinger said.

Other top 3-point shooters for the Warriors are freshman Kaylee Marty at 43.8 percent (7 of 16), senior Brianna Hagen at 42.4 percent (14 of 33), sophomore Hannah Butler at 40.6 percent (13 of 32) and freshman Bailey Butler at 35.6 percent (21 of 59).

"It has really become a weapon," Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan said. "If we shoot 33 percent on 3-pointers, it's about the same as shooting 50 percent on 2s. If we are getting the ball inside and touching the lane, then those are good 3-pointers. We don't want to be shooting 3-pointers when we are not touching the lane."

Flanagan has his team work on 3-point shooting every practice.

"Our whole team works on 3-point shooting," Leuzinger said. "We do a two-minute drill and make it high volume 3s," she said. "We also try to hit 3-pointers from certain spots and dribble up and release it quick like it's a game. We try to make it as game-like as we can. I think we are way better shooting 3-pointers this year than last year."

Few teams shoot as many 3s as the New Glarus boys basketball team. The Glarner Knights (5-0) are averaging 9.2 3-pointers made per game (46 of 129 on the season, 36 percent). New Glarus junior Zach Feller, who is averaging 22.2 ppg, is shooting 44 percent on 3-pointers (18 of 41). A year ago, Feller was 60 of 160 (38 percent) and the Knights were 175 of 520 (33 percent). It's no secret in the Knights' Memphis-style dribble drive and kick out pass offense, the 3-pointer is a staple.

"The 3-point shot is a big momentum-changer," Feller said. "Threes are worth more than twos. We have been running the dribble drive offense since third grade, and a big part of it is 3-point shooting. We are either going to get all the way to the basket for a layup or if someone steps to help, there will be an opening we can pass it out for an open 3-pointer. It's a fun offensive style to play because it's fast-paced."

Two years ago, the WIAA added a 3-point shooting contest to its state tournament for both boys and girls. The first 3-point champion for girls basketball was Brodhead's Kylie Moe.

There are multiple reasons for the spike in teams becoming more successful from 3-point range.

"Kids are starting to shoot them (3-pointers) at a younger age," Mathiason said. "If you go and watch a basketball tournament, the young kids are shooting them. Part of it is based on the type of defense the other team is playing."

Mathiason has his team work on shooting drills in practice that are designed to stretch the range of his players. The need for college coaches to have players with multiple skills is also a factor in the increased volume of 3-pointers.

"You have to be able to do it all now," Mathiason said. "You have to be able to face up and score inside and outside. Any time you can have multiple threats from multiple places on the court, it makes it difficult to defend."