MADISON - The Monroe boys basketball team will have its hands full today, playing Wisconsin Lutheran in a WIAA Division 2 state championship game.
Lutheran (23-2), the champion of the Little Ten Conference, is looking to win its first state title in the school's first trip to state.
Monroe (19-7) is shooting for its second state championship in the past three years. After losing 53-49 to eventual state champion New Berlin Eisenhower last year, Monroe is on the brink of another title.
"It's an honor to be playing for the state championship," Monroe sophomore Bryan Tordoff said.
The Vikings have a definitive size advantage with 6-foot, 4-inch junior guard Flavien Davis and 6-6 senior center Andrew Rumler. Davis leads the Vikings, averaging 16.1 points per game. Lutheran senior guard Cedquon Holmes is lightning quick and averages 14 points per game.
Davis scored a game-high 24 points in Wisconsin Lutheran's win over Northwestern in Friday's first semifinal game. Though he missed two free throws with 31.9 seconds left while clinging to a 1-point lead, officials called a jump ball and the Vikings retained possession. A score moments later sealed a 61-58 win over previously unbeaten Northwestern. Holmes torched the Tigers for 15 of his 17 points in the first half.
The Vikings are bigger and more athletic than Appleton Xavier and like to push the ball in transition.
Monroe probably will opt for a halfcourt game, trying to play solid defense while making the most of each offensive possession. Hitting baskets each time down the floor will be key for the Cheesemakers.
With a notatble size disadvantage, Monroe head coach Pat Murphy knows that limiting the Vikings to one shot and controlling the boards could be make or break. The Cheesemakers gave up 14 offensive rebounds to Xavier on Friday.
Monroe also needs its shots to fall. The Cheesemakers have shot around 40 percent in all but one game during its postseason run.
Tip-off is scheduled for about 1:45 p.m. at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Lutheran (23-2), the champion of the Little Ten Conference, is looking to win its first state title in the school's first trip to state.
Monroe (19-7) is shooting for its second state championship in the past three years. After losing 53-49 to eventual state champion New Berlin Eisenhower last year, Monroe is on the brink of another title.
"It's an honor to be playing for the state championship," Monroe sophomore Bryan Tordoff said.
The Vikings have a definitive size advantage with 6-foot, 4-inch junior guard Flavien Davis and 6-6 senior center Andrew Rumler. Davis leads the Vikings, averaging 16.1 points per game. Lutheran senior guard Cedquon Holmes is lightning quick and averages 14 points per game.
Davis scored a game-high 24 points in Wisconsin Lutheran's win over Northwestern in Friday's first semifinal game. Though he missed two free throws with 31.9 seconds left while clinging to a 1-point lead, officials called a jump ball and the Vikings retained possession. A score moments later sealed a 61-58 win over previously unbeaten Northwestern. Holmes torched the Tigers for 15 of his 17 points in the first half.
The Vikings are bigger and more athletic than Appleton Xavier and like to push the ball in transition.
Monroe probably will opt for a halfcourt game, trying to play solid defense while making the most of each offensive possession. Hitting baskets each time down the floor will be key for the Cheesemakers.
With a notatble size disadvantage, Monroe head coach Pat Murphy knows that limiting the Vikings to one shot and controlling the boards could be make or break. The Cheesemakers gave up 14 offensive rebounds to Xavier on Friday.
Monroe also needs its shots to fall. The Cheesemakers have shot around 40 percent in all but one game during its postseason run.
Tip-off is scheduled for about 1:45 p.m. at the Kohl Center in Madison.
