MONROE - Opposing coaches must pick their poison with this season's Monroe girls basketball team.
Monona Grove opted for a physical man-to-man defense, which the Cheesemakers exploited by repeatedly slashing to the basket in a 62-30 blowout win Saturday over the Silver Eagles.
The Cheesemakers had a balanced attack with four players in double figures, including junior Ashley Hermanson (team-high 13 points), sophomore Kyleigh Sellnow (11), Jamie Armstrong (10) and Gwen Sutter (10).
"We all play really well together," Armstrong said. "We played really selfless. Everyone did their part. That is how we got that huge lead.
"We all believe in each other. We have the confidence we can do it. If one of us is off, the other one will be on."
Monroe (4-0, 3-0 Badger South) used a 13-2 first-quarter run highlighted by Sutter's 3-pointer to build a double-digit lead.
"After a slow start, I think we responded well," Monroe coach Kevin Keen said.
In the second quarter, the Cheesemakers went on a 16-0 spurt featuring a 3-pointer by senior Emily Rufenacht, and jumpers by juniors Chelsea Brice and Kylee Ritschard to extend the lead to 31-6.
Keen said if the Silver Eagles were going to play as physical as they did, opportunities would be available to break down the defense and score.
"A lot of people can score inside and outside," Keen said. "It's a good combination to have. On any given night, it could be any one of our five starters. We are very fortunate."
The Cheesemakers limited the Silver Eagles to 3-of-20 shooting in the first half.
There was no letdown for Monroe in the second half, with the Cheesemakers going on a 13-3 third-quarter run sparked by a driving basket by Sellnow, on which she was fouled. Sellnow converted the three-point play at the foul line. Armstrong and Hermanson hit shots down low to push the lead to 43-11.
Sellnow said the Cheesemakers were looking to find the open shooter.
Playing unselfish and making the extra pass on offense paid dividends. Sellnow knows what keyed the Cheesemakers' big run.
"I just think pushing up the ball and running our offense," she said.
The Cheesemakers hit just 8 of 16 free throws.
"Free throws are always a concern," Keen said. "We have always been a good free throw shooting team. I expect we should be."
Monona Grove opted for a physical man-to-man defense, which the Cheesemakers exploited by repeatedly slashing to the basket in a 62-30 blowout win Saturday over the Silver Eagles.
The Cheesemakers had a balanced attack with four players in double figures, including junior Ashley Hermanson (team-high 13 points), sophomore Kyleigh Sellnow (11), Jamie Armstrong (10) and Gwen Sutter (10).
"We all play really well together," Armstrong said. "We played really selfless. Everyone did their part. That is how we got that huge lead.
"We all believe in each other. We have the confidence we can do it. If one of us is off, the other one will be on."
Monroe (4-0, 3-0 Badger South) used a 13-2 first-quarter run highlighted by Sutter's 3-pointer to build a double-digit lead.
"After a slow start, I think we responded well," Monroe coach Kevin Keen said.
In the second quarter, the Cheesemakers went on a 16-0 spurt featuring a 3-pointer by senior Emily Rufenacht, and jumpers by juniors Chelsea Brice and Kylee Ritschard to extend the lead to 31-6.
Keen said if the Silver Eagles were going to play as physical as they did, opportunities would be available to break down the defense and score.
"A lot of people can score inside and outside," Keen said. "It's a good combination to have. On any given night, it could be any one of our five starters. We are very fortunate."
The Cheesemakers limited the Silver Eagles to 3-of-20 shooting in the first half.
There was no letdown for Monroe in the second half, with the Cheesemakers going on a 13-3 third-quarter run sparked by a driving basket by Sellnow, on which she was fouled. Sellnow converted the three-point play at the foul line. Armstrong and Hermanson hit shots down low to push the lead to 43-11.
Sellnow said the Cheesemakers were looking to find the open shooter.
Playing unselfish and making the extra pass on offense paid dividends. Sellnow knows what keyed the Cheesemakers' big run.
"I just think pushing up the ball and running our offense," she said.
The Cheesemakers hit just 8 of 16 free throws.
"Free throws are always a concern," Keen said. "We have always been a good free throw shooting team. I expect we should be."
