MONROE - The defending WIAA Division 2 state champs in girls basketball are still alive after trouncing Mount Horeb (9-13) on Thursday night, 61-40
The Cheesemakers came out firing. Emily Rufenacht (16 points) and Jamie Armstrong (17 points) each hit 3-pointers and scored seven points in the opening frame as Monroe jumped out to an 18-8 lead after the first.
"Offensively we did a nice job of ball movement," head coach Kevin Keen said. "We found the open person and had a lot of good assists and unselfish play."
In the second quarter, both connected on 3s again and Monroe outscored Mount Horeb 18-9 in the frame, including scoring the last seven points of the half, the final 3 coming off a set swing to Rufenacht in the left corner.
"I think getting that 3-pointer on that set play pushed us a little bit," Keen said. "It wasn't long after the score was 48-19 and we had almost a 30-point lead there in the third quarter."
That scoring streak continued as Rufenacht opened the third with a baseline jumper off the left side and scored on a fastbreak layup after Gwen Sutter's defensive steal. Armstrong hit another shot inside to cap a 13-0 Cheesemaker run.
By the time the third came to a close, Monroe had an insurmountable 56-27 advantage.
"Getting a lead like that helps a lot. We started subbing a lot at that point," Keen said.
Every player on Monroe's roster saw action in the game, with nine players scoring. Ashley Hermanson added nine points in limited action and the Cheesemakers finished 11-for-17 from the free throw line.
"We're starting to click again here, and that's good this time of year," Keen said.
Monroe will face McFarland at 2 p.m. Saturday in Verona for the regional championship. McFarland, a former Badger South rival, moved to the Rock Valley North this season. McFarland defeated Brodhead, 48-43, in overtime Thursday night.
"We've got three good tapes on McFarland. So we'll watch film. We'll be ready," Keen said. "McFarland's got a few post players that match up with us and will present some problems. It will be a tough ball game for both teams."
Should Monroe win, it would set the Cheesemakers just two games away from its third state appearance in four seasons.
The Cheesemakers came out firing. Emily Rufenacht (16 points) and Jamie Armstrong (17 points) each hit 3-pointers and scored seven points in the opening frame as Monroe jumped out to an 18-8 lead after the first.
"Offensively we did a nice job of ball movement," head coach Kevin Keen said. "We found the open person and had a lot of good assists and unselfish play."
In the second quarter, both connected on 3s again and Monroe outscored Mount Horeb 18-9 in the frame, including scoring the last seven points of the half, the final 3 coming off a set swing to Rufenacht in the left corner.
"I think getting that 3-pointer on that set play pushed us a little bit," Keen said. "It wasn't long after the score was 48-19 and we had almost a 30-point lead there in the third quarter."
That scoring streak continued as Rufenacht opened the third with a baseline jumper off the left side and scored on a fastbreak layup after Gwen Sutter's defensive steal. Armstrong hit another shot inside to cap a 13-0 Cheesemaker run.
By the time the third came to a close, Monroe had an insurmountable 56-27 advantage.
"Getting a lead like that helps a lot. We started subbing a lot at that point," Keen said.
Every player on Monroe's roster saw action in the game, with nine players scoring. Ashley Hermanson added nine points in limited action and the Cheesemakers finished 11-for-17 from the free throw line.
"We're starting to click again here, and that's good this time of year," Keen said.
Monroe will face McFarland at 2 p.m. Saturday in Verona for the regional championship. McFarland, a former Badger South rival, moved to the Rock Valley North this season. McFarland defeated Brodhead, 48-43, in overtime Thursday night.
"We've got three good tapes on McFarland. So we'll watch film. We'll be ready," Keen said. "McFarland's got a few post players that match up with us and will present some problems. It will be a tough ball game for both teams."
Should Monroe win, it would set the Cheesemakers just two games away from its third state appearance in four seasons.
