MONROE - The Cheesemakers keep growing on a game-by-game basis, spreading the ball around the floor. Such was the case Saturday when Monroe knocked off Manitowoc Lincoln in a non-conference game, 64-50.
"You always want to jump out the gate to flush out any confidence they might have coming in. They drove 3 1/2 hours for a reason," Monroe coach Pat Murphy said. "For me, it's always about what we can do on defense and getting better."
Senior Michael Barrett scored 25 points to lead the Cheesemakers, including 11 in the decisive third quarter, but it was the bench and other role players that stepped up the most.
"Moving the ball up the court against a team that's a little bit shaky and doesn't get back on defense sometimes really helps," sophomore Alex Barenklau said.
Michael Turek scored 8 points in the post off the bench and Barenklau, a fill-in starter at guard, scored 12. Barenklau picked up his second consecutive start with senior Damian Penniston still recovering from a concussion suffered Feb. 5 against Freeport.
"Alex is like any kid, you bring him off the bench to do certain things," Murphy said. "I think he's starting to feel more confident and more comfortable doing what we need him to do. We need him to be ready to make a play when available because Bryan (Tordoff) and Michael (Barrett) will find him."
Barenklau gave the Cheesemakers (15-3) a needed boost offensively before Barrett could get rolling. The Ships (4-15) took a 7-2 lead three minutes into the game before Barenklau made a move in the post, his second such basket at the time. A possession later, the sophomore guard grabbed an offensive rebound that led to a Barrett score.
Tordoff then dished a no-look bounce pass through the lane to Andrew Armstrong and Monroe trailed 9-8 entering the second quarter. Manitowoc's 6-foot-7 sophomore Austin Mecca scored all nine of his team's points in the first quarter and finished with a game-high 26.
"Mecca got going pretty good early, and he's one of those guys you don't want to let get going," Murphy said. "They didn't do anything we didn't expect them to. They just beat us to a few loose balls."
Monroe's offense didn't slow after that, immediately taking a lead to open the second quarter thanks to a power basket in the paint by Barenklau that drew a foul.
"I can make layups in open courts and those two and-1's really helped," Barenklau said.
The Cheesemakers had its lead reach 10 points in the frame but led just 30-21 at halftime.
Barrett took over in the third, hitting two 3-pointers and getting to the free throw line four times, as well as a quick slash to the hoop. Barenklau added another and-1 basket and the Cheesemakers held a 47-32 advantage headed into the fourth.
"I thought we were better in the second half. Our offensive efficiency was definitely better in the second half," Murphy said.
The game also took on a few extra elements. Both Murphy and Manitowoc coach Brian Gallagher went to Mineral Point High School, and their former coach and family members were in attendance. Also in attendance was ex-Cheesemakers star Keith Burrington, a WBCA Hall of Famer who led Monroe to a gold ball in the 1950s.
"It was a little special and different. I appreciate everyone being flexible with the start time (which was moved from 2:15 to 3 p.m.)," Murphy said.
Monroe doesn't get much time off. The Cheesemakers (7-2 Badger South) host Milton (7-10, 2-7) in a conference game tonight and then host DeForest (10-8) tomorrow in a Badger Conference crossover. On Friday, Monroe hits the road again, traveling to Fort Atkinson (5-14, 2-7). The regular season wraps up Thursday, Feb. 24, at home against Monona Grove (13-4, 6-2). The contest could very well be the game that decides the conference championship, which could be Monroe's unprecedented fifth straight.
"Our goal at the beginning of the season is always to win conference," Barenklau said. "We've got to wrap that up, but take it all one game at a time."
"You always want to jump out the gate to flush out any confidence they might have coming in. They drove 3 1/2 hours for a reason," Monroe coach Pat Murphy said. "For me, it's always about what we can do on defense and getting better."
Senior Michael Barrett scored 25 points to lead the Cheesemakers, including 11 in the decisive third quarter, but it was the bench and other role players that stepped up the most.
"Moving the ball up the court against a team that's a little bit shaky and doesn't get back on defense sometimes really helps," sophomore Alex Barenklau said.
Michael Turek scored 8 points in the post off the bench and Barenklau, a fill-in starter at guard, scored 12. Barenklau picked up his second consecutive start with senior Damian Penniston still recovering from a concussion suffered Feb. 5 against Freeport.
"Alex is like any kid, you bring him off the bench to do certain things," Murphy said. "I think he's starting to feel more confident and more comfortable doing what we need him to do. We need him to be ready to make a play when available because Bryan (Tordoff) and Michael (Barrett) will find him."
Barenklau gave the Cheesemakers (15-3) a needed boost offensively before Barrett could get rolling. The Ships (4-15) took a 7-2 lead three minutes into the game before Barenklau made a move in the post, his second such basket at the time. A possession later, the sophomore guard grabbed an offensive rebound that led to a Barrett score.
Tordoff then dished a no-look bounce pass through the lane to Andrew Armstrong and Monroe trailed 9-8 entering the second quarter. Manitowoc's 6-foot-7 sophomore Austin Mecca scored all nine of his team's points in the first quarter and finished with a game-high 26.
"Mecca got going pretty good early, and he's one of those guys you don't want to let get going," Murphy said. "They didn't do anything we didn't expect them to. They just beat us to a few loose balls."
Monroe's offense didn't slow after that, immediately taking a lead to open the second quarter thanks to a power basket in the paint by Barenklau that drew a foul.
"I can make layups in open courts and those two and-1's really helped," Barenklau said.
The Cheesemakers had its lead reach 10 points in the frame but led just 30-21 at halftime.
Barrett took over in the third, hitting two 3-pointers and getting to the free throw line four times, as well as a quick slash to the hoop. Barenklau added another and-1 basket and the Cheesemakers held a 47-32 advantage headed into the fourth.
"I thought we were better in the second half. Our offensive efficiency was definitely better in the second half," Murphy said.
The game also took on a few extra elements. Both Murphy and Manitowoc coach Brian Gallagher went to Mineral Point High School, and their former coach and family members were in attendance. Also in attendance was ex-Cheesemakers star Keith Burrington, a WBCA Hall of Famer who led Monroe to a gold ball in the 1950s.
"It was a little special and different. I appreciate everyone being flexible with the start time (which was moved from 2:15 to 3 p.m.)," Murphy said.
Monroe doesn't get much time off. The Cheesemakers (7-2 Badger South) host Milton (7-10, 2-7) in a conference game tonight and then host DeForest (10-8) tomorrow in a Badger Conference crossover. On Friday, Monroe hits the road again, traveling to Fort Atkinson (5-14, 2-7). The regular season wraps up Thursday, Feb. 24, at home against Monona Grove (13-4, 6-2). The contest could very well be the game that decides the conference championship, which could be Monroe's unprecedented fifth straight.
"Our goal at the beginning of the season is always to win conference," Barenklau said. "We've got to wrap that up, but take it all one game at a time."
