FORT ATKINSON - The Monroe boys basketball team took care of business and beat Fort Atkinson 57-49 Friday night.
What the Cheesemakers (18-3, 9-2 Badger South) didn't expect was locking up an unprecedented fifth straight Badger South title. Monroe did just that with the win and a Monona Grove (13-6, 6-4) loss to Stoughton (7-12, 3-7) 53-45, as well as an Oregon (14-6, 6-4) loss to Edgewood (15-6, 8-4) 44-35. That dropped both teams any chance of tying Monroe for a co-conference championship.
The Cheesemakers snapped a three game losing streak on the road that dated back to the Badger Challenge game against Waunakee Jan. 22.
"The guys were going nuts," Monroe assistant coach Brian Bassett said. "It's extremely exciting. After losing two straight conference games to Stoughton and Oregon, we didn't know how we would react. It's a huge obstacle for us to overcome."
Monroe senior Michael Barrett scored a game-high 31 points to lead the Cheesemakers. Barrett hit two 3-pointers and was 11 of 16 from the free-throw line.
"He had the hot hand tonight," Bassett said of Barrett. "The guys did a good job of getting him the ball."
The Cheesemakers jumped out to a 14-8 first quarter lead against the Blackhawks on their senior night and led 32-17 at halftime.
"We wanted to get out and set the tone early and keep it up for four quarters," Bassett said.
The Blackhawks came back in the third quarter and outscored the Cheesemakers 17-11 to cut the Cheesemakers' lead to nine points, 43-34 entering the fourth quarter. Fort Atkinson grabbed 11 offensive rebounds.
"Their seniors came out with a lot of pride," Bassett said.
Monroe senior Bryan Tordoff scored 10 points and sophomore Alex Barenklau added five.
Monroe hosts Monona Grove on Thursday.
What the Cheesemakers (18-3, 9-2 Badger South) didn't expect was locking up an unprecedented fifth straight Badger South title. Monroe did just that with the win and a Monona Grove (13-6, 6-4) loss to Stoughton (7-12, 3-7) 53-45, as well as an Oregon (14-6, 6-4) loss to Edgewood (15-6, 8-4) 44-35. That dropped both teams any chance of tying Monroe for a co-conference championship.
The Cheesemakers snapped a three game losing streak on the road that dated back to the Badger Challenge game against Waunakee Jan. 22.
"The guys were going nuts," Monroe assistant coach Brian Bassett said. "It's extremely exciting. After losing two straight conference games to Stoughton and Oregon, we didn't know how we would react. It's a huge obstacle for us to overcome."
Monroe senior Michael Barrett scored a game-high 31 points to lead the Cheesemakers. Barrett hit two 3-pointers and was 11 of 16 from the free-throw line.
"He had the hot hand tonight," Bassett said of Barrett. "The guys did a good job of getting him the ball."
The Cheesemakers jumped out to a 14-8 first quarter lead against the Blackhawks on their senior night and led 32-17 at halftime.
"We wanted to get out and set the tone early and keep it up for four quarters," Bassett said.
The Blackhawks came back in the third quarter and outscored the Cheesemakers 17-11 to cut the Cheesemakers' lead to nine points, 43-34 entering the fourth quarter. Fort Atkinson grabbed 11 offensive rebounds.
"Their seniors came out with a lot of pride," Bassett said.
Monroe senior Bryan Tordoff scored 10 points and sophomore Alex Barenklau added five.
Monroe hosts Monona Grove on Thursday.
