MONROE - Jake Hirsbrunner understands the Monroe boys basketball team is at its best when they are in transition.
He recalled a challenge from Monroe coach Pat Murphy after the first quarter and the Cheesemakers responded with a 64-42 win over Dodgeville in a non-conference game Friday, Dec. 27.
"We came out kind of lackadaisical," said Hirsbrunner who scored a game-high 23 points. "Murph talked to us and said we are a good defensive team and let's up the pressure. We upped the pressure and that defense led to offense."
Monroe (3-4, 1-2 Badger South) went on a 20-6 run in the second quarter to take control of the game. Hirsbrunner scored a conventional three-point play to tie the game at 14 with 5 minutes, 49 seconds left in the second quarter. Monroe senior Kylan Helmeid, who scored 12 points, converted on a layup and drilled a 3-pointer to give the Cheesemakers a 20-14 lead with 3:31 to go in the second quarter. Monroe junior Desmond Ford scored on two layups and Hirsbrunner hit a 3-pointer to help the Cheesemakers take a 31-18 lead at the half.
"You want to leave your impression on the other team every game on defense," Murphy said. "Sometimes it happens a little too late as far as I'm concerned."
The Cheesemakers had nine offensive rebounds in the first half and that led to several second chance scoring opportunities. Monroe senior Noah Thompson scored five points and four of his five rebounds came on the offensive end.
"We have struggled with offensive rebounding all year," Hirsbrunner said. "To have guys come in and get offensive rebounds it gives us a second shot at it. It showed when we get a lot of offensive rebounds how much that can help on offense."
Hirsbrunner and Helmeid each knocked down 3-pointers to start the third quarter and that gave the Cheesemakers a 39-21 lead. The Cheesemakers led by as many as 24 points after layups by Helmeid and Hirsbrunner gave the Cheesemakers a 59-35 lead with 3:10 to go.
Monroe senior Charlie Kind scored six points and senior Alex Hendrickson added five points and five rebounds. Junior Jake Flannery had seven rebounds to lead the Cheesemakers. The Cheesemakers are still looking for the balance on offense.
"We want to have three guys in double figures," Murphy said. "Jake had the hot hand tonight. Tomorrow it might be someone else."
Monroe will host Beaver Dam (2-6) at 2:45 p.m. today.
"It's our goal to get back to .500 to start 2014," Murphy said. "That is our focus. They (Beaver Dam) come from a very good conference. We are one of the smallest schools they play. We do it (schedule Beaver Dam) for a reason. That is to prepare us for the tournament."
He recalled a challenge from Monroe coach Pat Murphy after the first quarter and the Cheesemakers responded with a 64-42 win over Dodgeville in a non-conference game Friday, Dec. 27.
"We came out kind of lackadaisical," said Hirsbrunner who scored a game-high 23 points. "Murph talked to us and said we are a good defensive team and let's up the pressure. We upped the pressure and that defense led to offense."
Monroe (3-4, 1-2 Badger South) went on a 20-6 run in the second quarter to take control of the game. Hirsbrunner scored a conventional three-point play to tie the game at 14 with 5 minutes, 49 seconds left in the second quarter. Monroe senior Kylan Helmeid, who scored 12 points, converted on a layup and drilled a 3-pointer to give the Cheesemakers a 20-14 lead with 3:31 to go in the second quarter. Monroe junior Desmond Ford scored on two layups and Hirsbrunner hit a 3-pointer to help the Cheesemakers take a 31-18 lead at the half.
"You want to leave your impression on the other team every game on defense," Murphy said. "Sometimes it happens a little too late as far as I'm concerned."
The Cheesemakers had nine offensive rebounds in the first half and that led to several second chance scoring opportunities. Monroe senior Noah Thompson scored five points and four of his five rebounds came on the offensive end.
"We have struggled with offensive rebounding all year," Hirsbrunner said. "To have guys come in and get offensive rebounds it gives us a second shot at it. It showed when we get a lot of offensive rebounds how much that can help on offense."
Hirsbrunner and Helmeid each knocked down 3-pointers to start the third quarter and that gave the Cheesemakers a 39-21 lead. The Cheesemakers led by as many as 24 points after layups by Helmeid and Hirsbrunner gave the Cheesemakers a 59-35 lead with 3:10 to go.
Monroe senior Charlie Kind scored six points and senior Alex Hendrickson added five points and five rebounds. Junior Jake Flannery had seven rebounds to lead the Cheesemakers. The Cheesemakers are still looking for the balance on offense.
"We want to have three guys in double figures," Murphy said. "Jake had the hot hand tonight. Tomorrow it might be someone else."
Monroe will host Beaver Dam (2-6) at 2:45 p.m. today.
"It's our goal to get back to .500 to start 2014," Murphy said. "That is our focus. They (Beaver Dam) come from a very good conference. We are one of the smallest schools they play. We do it (schedule Beaver Dam) for a reason. That is to prepare us for the tournament."
