MONROE - As far back as the Badger South history books can go, only one other time has a team won three consecutive titles. That team was when Monroe won it from 1963-65.
That Cheesemakers squad now has company, as Monroe used defense and a passing offense to hold off Monona Grove, 48-34.
"It's never easy to win a championship," head coach Pat Murphy said. "And it's nice to get it at home. This way the young kids in the crowd can see where hard work can take you."
Monroe took advantage right away, scoring the first eight points in the game and finishing the first quarter up 15-2.
"These guys are unselfish. What's going to determine how they finish the year is how we tough we are going to be passing and catching," Murphy said.
The Cheesemakers held Monona Grove without a field goal on 0-for-10 shooting in the opening frame. The Silvers Eagles, who finished 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the half, got its only field goal with 1 minute, 3 seconds left to play before halftime.
By the break, Monroe had accumulated a 21-6 lead, dishing out four assists in that time.
"They're really doing a great job of sharing the ball and hitting the open guys. That will make everybody else better. We were passing the ball five or six times before we took a shot," assistant coach Brian Bassett said.
"Our defense was outstanding tonight. We made a point that we wanted to shut them down and we did. Our offense won't always be there, but our defense will be."
In the second half, Monroe kept its poise and deterred every short run Monona Grove made.
"They made only one bucket in the first half, so we knew they were going to be tough in the second. But we found a way to get it done," Murphy said.
For Monroe, the victory is sweet. After returning only four players from last years squad, the senior class knew they had to step up. Throughout the year Mitch Tordoff led the team in shooting, averaging 17.7 points per game. Mitch McArdle played stifling defense against the opponent's top scorer.
Friday night, on Senior Night, it was senior forward Jake Grinnell who stepped up his game for Monroe. Grinnell, who played scout team a year ago, scored 15 points in the game, including a big 3-pointer in the second half when Monona Grove had brought the score back to within 13 points.
Tordoff also scored 15 points, and was extremely pleased in the outcome of the regular season.
"It feels really good. Being a part of one (title) is amazing, but being a part of three is even greater," Tordoff said. "This might be more of an accomplishment than getting to state, because getting to state you just get hot. But here you have to last the whole season."
McArdle added five points in the game and held Monona Grove's 6-foot-4 inch senior Zak Manthe to just two field goals in the game.
"This feels good, but it will feel a lot better if Edgewood loses and we win it outright," McArdle said.
With a 10-2 conference record, Monroe has clinched at least a share of the conference title. Madison Edgewood, who the Cheesemakers beat twice during the regular season, faces Oregon tonight and Milton on Monday. Oregon and Milton gave Monroe both of its conference loses this season.
The Cheesemakers have a full week to rest before next Friday's Badger Conference Challenge game against either Baraboo or Waunakee.
"I'm really thankful for my assistant coaches and all the players we've had over the years," Murphy said.
That Cheesemakers squad now has company, as Monroe used defense and a passing offense to hold off Monona Grove, 48-34.
"It's never easy to win a championship," head coach Pat Murphy said. "And it's nice to get it at home. This way the young kids in the crowd can see where hard work can take you."
Monroe took advantage right away, scoring the first eight points in the game and finishing the first quarter up 15-2.
"These guys are unselfish. What's going to determine how they finish the year is how we tough we are going to be passing and catching," Murphy said.
The Cheesemakers held Monona Grove without a field goal on 0-for-10 shooting in the opening frame. The Silvers Eagles, who finished 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the half, got its only field goal with 1 minute, 3 seconds left to play before halftime.
By the break, Monroe had accumulated a 21-6 lead, dishing out four assists in that time.
"They're really doing a great job of sharing the ball and hitting the open guys. That will make everybody else better. We were passing the ball five or six times before we took a shot," assistant coach Brian Bassett said.
"Our defense was outstanding tonight. We made a point that we wanted to shut them down and we did. Our offense won't always be there, but our defense will be."
In the second half, Monroe kept its poise and deterred every short run Monona Grove made.
"They made only one bucket in the first half, so we knew they were going to be tough in the second. But we found a way to get it done," Murphy said.
For Monroe, the victory is sweet. After returning only four players from last years squad, the senior class knew they had to step up. Throughout the year Mitch Tordoff led the team in shooting, averaging 17.7 points per game. Mitch McArdle played stifling defense against the opponent's top scorer.
Friday night, on Senior Night, it was senior forward Jake Grinnell who stepped up his game for Monroe. Grinnell, who played scout team a year ago, scored 15 points in the game, including a big 3-pointer in the second half when Monona Grove had brought the score back to within 13 points.
Tordoff also scored 15 points, and was extremely pleased in the outcome of the regular season.
"It feels really good. Being a part of one (title) is amazing, but being a part of three is even greater," Tordoff said. "This might be more of an accomplishment than getting to state, because getting to state you just get hot. But here you have to last the whole season."
McArdle added five points in the game and held Monona Grove's 6-foot-4 inch senior Zak Manthe to just two field goals in the game.
"This feels good, but it will feel a lot better if Edgewood loses and we win it outright," McArdle said.
With a 10-2 conference record, Monroe has clinched at least a share of the conference title. Madison Edgewood, who the Cheesemakers beat twice during the regular season, faces Oregon tonight and Milton on Monday. Oregon and Milton gave Monroe both of its conference loses this season.
The Cheesemakers have a full week to rest before next Friday's Badger Conference Challenge game against either Baraboo or Waunakee.
"I'm really thankful for my assistant coaches and all the players we've had over the years," Murphy said.
