MONROE - After only four days of practice, the Monroe girls basketball team couldn't wait to get back on the court to face competition from an opposing team - Janesville Parker - even if it was just a scrimmage.
The Cheesemakers, the defending Division 2 state champions, started the game with an 11-5 run sparked by six straight points by junior Ashley Hermanson.
"It feels really good to be out there and take on someone else," Hermanson said. "Everyone is really excited. We just want to be out there to play and start. Everyone feels a lot pressure. We are all ready for it."
The Cheesemakers outscored Parker in three of the five periods played Friday night.
Hermanson's first two baskets came after the Cheesemakers worked the high-low to perfection.
"We always practice the high-low," Hermanson said. "It's our main goal. If it doesn't work, we kick it out and all the guards can shoot."
Hermanson, who scored 12 points, was one of four Cheesemakers scoring in double figures, joining sophomore Kylee Ritschard (12 points) and juniors Jamie Armstrong (13 points) and Gwen Sutter (11 points).
Monroe coach Kevin Keen said the five starters against Parker all played a lot on the state championship team last year.
"It's kind of like picking up where we left off last year," Keen said. "It's early. It's a chance to go against someone different. It's a good chance to see where we are."
The Cheesemakers went on a 10-2 run in the second period highlighted by a jumper senior Marissa Ubert, outscoring Parker, 10-4.
Parker went on an 11-4 run in the third period highlighted by two 3-pointers by Katie O'Leary, a Loyola recruit who scored 18 points. Parker outscored the Cheesemakers 21-12 in the third.
The Cheesemakers received a strong game from Ritschard, who was a force down low.
"We have to see who the sixth, seventh and eighth person will be off the bench," Keen said.
In the fifth period, Parker went on a 10-1 spurt. The Cheesemakers responded with a 3-pointer by Armstrong. Senior Emily Rufenacht scored with a layup on the break to cut Parker's lead in the quarter to 10-8. Sophomore Kyleigh Sellnow tied the game driving and hitting a tough shot. Parker withstood a Monroe rally to outscore the Cheesemakers, 22-16 in the extra session.
Parker used a suffocating press at times to force the tempo in transition.
"Parker traditionally has always done a good job of putting pressure on," Keen said. "That is something we know we need to work on. In four days of practice, there are some things we haven't worked on yet."
The Cheesemakers open the season Nov. 21 at Elkhorn.
The Cheesemakers, the defending Division 2 state champions, started the game with an 11-5 run sparked by six straight points by junior Ashley Hermanson.
"It feels really good to be out there and take on someone else," Hermanson said. "Everyone is really excited. We just want to be out there to play and start. Everyone feels a lot pressure. We are all ready for it."
The Cheesemakers outscored Parker in three of the five periods played Friday night.
Hermanson's first two baskets came after the Cheesemakers worked the high-low to perfection.
"We always practice the high-low," Hermanson said. "It's our main goal. If it doesn't work, we kick it out and all the guards can shoot."
Hermanson, who scored 12 points, was one of four Cheesemakers scoring in double figures, joining sophomore Kylee Ritschard (12 points) and juniors Jamie Armstrong (13 points) and Gwen Sutter (11 points).
Monroe coach Kevin Keen said the five starters against Parker all played a lot on the state championship team last year.
"It's kind of like picking up where we left off last year," Keen said. "It's early. It's a chance to go against someone different. It's a good chance to see where we are."
The Cheesemakers went on a 10-2 run in the second period highlighted by a jumper senior Marissa Ubert, outscoring Parker, 10-4.
Parker went on an 11-4 run in the third period highlighted by two 3-pointers by Katie O'Leary, a Loyola recruit who scored 18 points. Parker outscored the Cheesemakers 21-12 in the third.
The Cheesemakers received a strong game from Ritschard, who was a force down low.
"We have to see who the sixth, seventh and eighth person will be off the bench," Keen said.
In the fifth period, Parker went on a 10-1 spurt. The Cheesemakers responded with a 3-pointer by Armstrong. Senior Emily Rufenacht scored with a layup on the break to cut Parker's lead in the quarter to 10-8. Sophomore Kyleigh Sellnow tied the game driving and hitting a tough shot. Parker withstood a Monroe rally to outscore the Cheesemakers, 22-16 in the extra session.
Parker used a suffocating press at times to force the tempo in transition.
"Parker traditionally has always done a good job of putting pressure on," Keen said. "That is something we know we need to work on. In four days of practice, there are some things we haven't worked on yet."
The Cheesemakers open the season Nov. 21 at Elkhorn.
