MONROE - Still searching for their first win of the season, the Monroe girls basketball team used a balanced scoring attack to prevail over Portage in a Badger Conference crossover game Saturday afternoon, winning 49-37.
Briana Katzenberger led the Cheesemakers with 11 points. Chandra McGuire scored all 10 of her points from the free throw line, going 10-12 from the charity stripe. Heather Barta and Kirsten Vetterli also chipped in 9 and 8, respectively, for Monroe.
Cheesemakers coach Sam Mathiason said that balanced offensive approach was the difference from previous games.
"A lot of it was our balance of scoring," Mathiason said. "We had four girls score over or close to 10 points. We took advantage of our opportunities and made open shots."
Monroe jumped out to a quick 7-3 lead, but Portage came back to tie the game up at nine after the first period of play. The game remained a low-scoring affair in the second quarter, as the Cheesemakers took just an 18-16 lead into the half. But the Cheesemaker offense came alive in the second half, scoring 14 in the third quarter and 17 in the fourth.
According to Mathiason, the biggest difference offensively in the second half was that his team was moving the basketball.
"At halftime we talked about finding open players," he said. "In the second half we were making extra passes to find the open person."
Mathiason also said his team did a better job defensively in the second half. The Cheesemakers forced Portage into several turnovers, which led to some transition opportunities.
"Any time you get a steal, they aren't getting a chance to score," said Mathiason. "We played more solid defense and did a better job of being in the right position."
Throughout the game, the Cheesemakers worked the ball inside on offense. Mathiason said that this wasn't necessarily by design - rather, it occurred within the flow of the offense.
"It was more of just the flow of the offense," he said. "We want to get it inside to take high percentage shots. Any time you can get it inside you try to take advantage of it."
Monroe improved their record to 1-5 with the "W." And picking up that first win was a good feeling for the Cheesemakers.
"It's always tough when you lose," said Mathiason. "I was proud of the effort and how we stuck with it."
With their first win out of the way, the Cheesemakers now turn their attention toward turning this win into a streak. The Cheesemakers will take a crack at another team from the Badger North on Tuesday, when they host Sauk Prairie. For Monroe to pick up a second straight win, Mathiason said his team just needs to stick to the basics.
"It's a lot about trying to do the basics," he said. "It starts on the defensive end. It's a work in progress there. Offensively tonight, Vetterli had some good touches down low in the first quarter, Chandra was 10-12 from the line, and Barta and Katzenberger both had good games. We'll try to keep that kind of scoring balance."
Briana Katzenberger led the Cheesemakers with 11 points. Chandra McGuire scored all 10 of her points from the free throw line, going 10-12 from the charity stripe. Heather Barta and Kirsten Vetterli also chipped in 9 and 8, respectively, for Monroe.
Cheesemakers coach Sam Mathiason said that balanced offensive approach was the difference from previous games.
"A lot of it was our balance of scoring," Mathiason said. "We had four girls score over or close to 10 points. We took advantage of our opportunities and made open shots."
Monroe jumped out to a quick 7-3 lead, but Portage came back to tie the game up at nine after the first period of play. The game remained a low-scoring affair in the second quarter, as the Cheesemakers took just an 18-16 lead into the half. But the Cheesemaker offense came alive in the second half, scoring 14 in the third quarter and 17 in the fourth.
According to Mathiason, the biggest difference offensively in the second half was that his team was moving the basketball.
"At halftime we talked about finding open players," he said. "In the second half we were making extra passes to find the open person."
Mathiason also said his team did a better job defensively in the second half. The Cheesemakers forced Portage into several turnovers, which led to some transition opportunities.
"Any time you get a steal, they aren't getting a chance to score," said Mathiason. "We played more solid defense and did a better job of being in the right position."
Throughout the game, the Cheesemakers worked the ball inside on offense. Mathiason said that this wasn't necessarily by design - rather, it occurred within the flow of the offense.
"It was more of just the flow of the offense," he said. "We want to get it inside to take high percentage shots. Any time you can get it inside you try to take advantage of it."
Monroe improved their record to 1-5 with the "W." And picking up that first win was a good feeling for the Cheesemakers.
"It's always tough when you lose," said Mathiason. "I was proud of the effort and how we stuck with it."
With their first win out of the way, the Cheesemakers now turn their attention toward turning this win into a streak. The Cheesemakers will take a crack at another team from the Badger North on Tuesday, when they host Sauk Prairie. For Monroe to pick up a second straight win, Mathiason said his team just needs to stick to the basics.
"It's a lot about trying to do the basics," he said. "It starts on the defensive end. It's a work in progress there. Offensively tonight, Vetterli had some good touches down low in the first quarter, Chandra was 10-12 from the line, and Barta and Katzenberger both had good games. We'll try to keep that kind of scoring balance."
