MONROE - Both the Monroe and Black Hawk girls basketball teams are in familiar territory. This is the third straight season both the Cheesemakers and the Warriors will be in the sectional final and a game away from state.
"Hopefully our success helps us out," Monroe head coach Kevin Keen said. "Hopefully we can keep our composure and do the things that we need to do."
While Monroe has advanced to the WIAA Division 2 state tournament in each of the last two seasons, with a championship in 2008, Black Hawk earned its first-ever berth to Madison a year ago in Division 4.
"I think the experience helps," Monroe senior Jamie Armstrong said. "We're all a little nervous and feeling pressure, but we've been there before. We need to be there for each other and keep working, because I know every person on the team wants this (to go to state). It would mean so much, especially being the end of my basketball career."
Monroe (24-1), which has been ranked No. 1 nearly the entire season in various Division 2 state polls, will square off today against Union Grove (23-2) at Janesville Craig at 1 p.m.
"We've been watching film all week - we've been scouting all the various teams. They play a 1-3-1 zone. Bottom line is we have to play defense," Keen said, adding that the two schools have never played each other before. "We're playing a team that has never been to the state tournament, so obviously they are going to be pretty fired up."
Four of Monroe's starting five have been on the front line for the last three seasons, including the 2008 state title. Three of those four, Gwen Sutter, Armstrong and Ashley Hermanson, have started since their freshman year.
"It's been a blessing to play with two 6-foot girls. They are great girls, they are always positive and it's great to work with them," said Sutter, who has not missed a game in her high school career. "Being through this experience before means a lot; we know what to do and what to expect."
Monroe's lone loss this season was on the road at Verona, which was a former conference rival and is a perennial Division 1 state contender.
This will be Keen's last season on the bench, and with a potential eighth-state berth in 22 years on the way, his focus is on the girls.
"Some of these kids have never had this opportunity," he said. "It's for them. Whatever it takes. I believe if we believe in each other and we believe in ourselves, we can get it done."
Black Hawk (25-1) will go toe-to-toe against Central Wisconsin Christian out of Waupun. CWC (23-3) outlasted Manitowoc Lutheran in three overtimes Thursday night in a Division 4 sectional final, while the Warriors knocked off conference rival Albany.
"They (CWC) have a few extra steps on them, but with a day of rest they should be pretty well rested," Black Hawk head coach Mike Flanagan said. "It would be more relevant if it was a Friday-Saturday sectional, but either way, it's not going to be easy.
"Hopefully with the way we play - up and down the floor with our press - we can wear them down a little easier."
The Warriors have been ranked in the top 10 in the state all season and CWC has been ranked at times as well. Black Hawk's only loss came in the second game of the regular season to Orfordville Parkview, a team in Division 3 that was also ranked during the regular season.
"I hope (the season) is an indication of how hard we've worked. You like to think that if you work hard it will translate to wins," Flanagan said. "To get back a second time in a row (to state), it would indicate a certain level of success. I think for a lot of people, especially our girls, once you get a taste of that success, you will probably want more."
"Hopefully our success helps us out," Monroe head coach Kevin Keen said. "Hopefully we can keep our composure and do the things that we need to do."
While Monroe has advanced to the WIAA Division 2 state tournament in each of the last two seasons, with a championship in 2008, Black Hawk earned its first-ever berth to Madison a year ago in Division 4.
"I think the experience helps," Monroe senior Jamie Armstrong said. "We're all a little nervous and feeling pressure, but we've been there before. We need to be there for each other and keep working, because I know every person on the team wants this (to go to state). It would mean so much, especially being the end of my basketball career."
Monroe (24-1), which has been ranked No. 1 nearly the entire season in various Division 2 state polls, will square off today against Union Grove (23-2) at Janesville Craig at 1 p.m.
"We've been watching film all week - we've been scouting all the various teams. They play a 1-3-1 zone. Bottom line is we have to play defense," Keen said, adding that the two schools have never played each other before. "We're playing a team that has never been to the state tournament, so obviously they are going to be pretty fired up."
Four of Monroe's starting five have been on the front line for the last three seasons, including the 2008 state title. Three of those four, Gwen Sutter, Armstrong and Ashley Hermanson, have started since their freshman year.
"It's been a blessing to play with two 6-foot girls. They are great girls, they are always positive and it's great to work with them," said Sutter, who has not missed a game in her high school career. "Being through this experience before means a lot; we know what to do and what to expect."
Monroe's lone loss this season was on the road at Verona, which was a former conference rival and is a perennial Division 1 state contender.
This will be Keen's last season on the bench, and with a potential eighth-state berth in 22 years on the way, his focus is on the girls.
"Some of these kids have never had this opportunity," he said. "It's for them. Whatever it takes. I believe if we believe in each other and we believe in ourselves, we can get it done."
Black Hawk (25-1) will go toe-to-toe against Central Wisconsin Christian out of Waupun. CWC (23-3) outlasted Manitowoc Lutheran in three overtimes Thursday night in a Division 4 sectional final, while the Warriors knocked off conference rival Albany.
"They (CWC) have a few extra steps on them, but with a day of rest they should be pretty well rested," Black Hawk head coach Mike Flanagan said. "It would be more relevant if it was a Friday-Saturday sectional, but either way, it's not going to be easy.
"Hopefully with the way we play - up and down the floor with our press - we can wear them down a little easier."
The Warriors have been ranked in the top 10 in the state all season and CWC has been ranked at times as well. Black Hawk's only loss came in the second game of the regular season to Orfordville Parkview, a team in Division 3 that was also ranked during the regular season.
"I hope (the season) is an indication of how hard we've worked. You like to think that if you work hard it will translate to wins," Flanagan said. "To get back a second time in a row (to state), it would indicate a certain level of success. I think for a lot of people, especially our girls, once you get a taste of that success, you will probably want more."
