MONROE - Joe Latimer remains focused on getting better as a basketball player.
Latimer displayed some of his low post scoring ability as he scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Cheesemakers to a 47-42 win over Dodgeville in early round action in the Monroe Summer Shootout on Sunday. The Cheesemakers finished the tournament 4-1 and took second place for the second straight year. Lake Mills knocked off Monroe 53-44 in the championship game.
"I feel like I'm stronger and more mature," Latimer said. "I feel as a team we are more mature. It's important to win. It's our own tournament. We definitely want to show people what we can do. I think our 10 guys can be the best or one of the best."
Monroe coach Ken Gratz was proud of his team's effort. Gratz was coaching for Pat Murphy who is limited to just five contact practice days with the Cheesemakers.
"I don't think they were much better than us," Gratz said of Lake Mills. "I thought we played hard and intense most of the time. They just hit some shots we probably wouldn't even guard in high school. We missed some shots and we didn't get enough offensive rebounds."
Gratz said the Cheesemakers have a goal of grabbing half as many offensive rebounds as shots taken.
"We didn't do that today," Gratz said. "We have to rebound harder on the offensive end."
Monroe opened the tournament by defeating Pecatonica 45-20, and then they edged Dodgeville, 47-42. The Cheesemakers had a 12-point lead against the Dodgers in the second half. Dodgeville cut the lead to five with about 30 seconds left. The Cheesemakers had a couple of turnovers and missed two free throws in the final 30 seconds, but the Dodgers also missed two 3-pointers that could have cut more into the lead.
After dispatching the Dodgers, the Cheesemakers rolled past Wisconsin Heights 56-38 and into the semifinals. There they edged Poynette 43-39, earning a spot in the championship game. Kylan Helmeid, Jake Hirsbrunner and Latimer each made several clutch free throws in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
"We just played harder than they did," Gratz said of the final 2 minutes against Poynette. "It got a little chippy and the guys handled it well. We could have folded our tents when we were down six points. We just were not going to lose."
Monroe senior Alex Barenklau enjoyed having the tournament on their home court.
"The home court ones are always the ones you want to be playing in the championship game," Barenklau said. "You are a little more jacked up for the home ones. I think in the summer league we are always trying to get better. I think everyone played well and stepped up ... and contributed to the four wins."
Murphy said he was impressed with the Cheesemakers' free throw shooting against Poynette.
"We won that game by making free throws," said Murphy who watched away from the bench. "We definitely showed the ability to score."
Gratz said the Cheesemakers were able to get one or two players hot each game.
"We want our kids to become better shooters," he said. "We need to find a third guy who can get hot."
Latimer displayed some of his low post scoring ability as he scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Cheesemakers to a 47-42 win over Dodgeville in early round action in the Monroe Summer Shootout on Sunday. The Cheesemakers finished the tournament 4-1 and took second place for the second straight year. Lake Mills knocked off Monroe 53-44 in the championship game.
"I feel like I'm stronger and more mature," Latimer said. "I feel as a team we are more mature. It's important to win. It's our own tournament. We definitely want to show people what we can do. I think our 10 guys can be the best or one of the best."
Monroe coach Ken Gratz was proud of his team's effort. Gratz was coaching for Pat Murphy who is limited to just five contact practice days with the Cheesemakers.
"I don't think they were much better than us," Gratz said of Lake Mills. "I thought we played hard and intense most of the time. They just hit some shots we probably wouldn't even guard in high school. We missed some shots and we didn't get enough offensive rebounds."
Gratz said the Cheesemakers have a goal of grabbing half as many offensive rebounds as shots taken.
"We didn't do that today," Gratz said. "We have to rebound harder on the offensive end."
Monroe opened the tournament by defeating Pecatonica 45-20, and then they edged Dodgeville, 47-42. The Cheesemakers had a 12-point lead against the Dodgers in the second half. Dodgeville cut the lead to five with about 30 seconds left. The Cheesemakers had a couple of turnovers and missed two free throws in the final 30 seconds, but the Dodgers also missed two 3-pointers that could have cut more into the lead.
After dispatching the Dodgers, the Cheesemakers rolled past Wisconsin Heights 56-38 and into the semifinals. There they edged Poynette 43-39, earning a spot in the championship game. Kylan Helmeid, Jake Hirsbrunner and Latimer each made several clutch free throws in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
"We just played harder than they did," Gratz said of the final 2 minutes against Poynette. "It got a little chippy and the guys handled it well. We could have folded our tents when we were down six points. We just were not going to lose."
Monroe senior Alex Barenklau enjoyed having the tournament on their home court.
"The home court ones are always the ones you want to be playing in the championship game," Barenklau said. "You are a little more jacked up for the home ones. I think in the summer league we are always trying to get better. I think everyone played well and stepped up ... and contributed to the four wins."
Murphy said he was impressed with the Cheesemakers' free throw shooting against Poynette.
"We won that game by making free throws," said Murphy who watched away from the bench. "We definitely showed the ability to score."
Gratz said the Cheesemakers were able to get one or two players hot each game.
"We want our kids to become better shooters," he said. "We need to find a third guy who can get hot."
