MADISON - The Black Hawk and Monroe girls basketball teams welcome the chance and the challenge of playing at the Kohl Center.
The state basketball tournament is back at the Kohl Center for the first time since 2005. For the last several years the state tournament was played at the Alliant Energy Center.
"We were in awe last year when we played at the Alliant Energy Center and this is 10 times better," Black Hawk senior Kim Wellnitz said after a shootaround Wednesday. "All I can say is this is where the Badgers play and that is totally awesome. I can't wait until tomorrow."
Black Hawk (26-1) will play Minong-Northwood in a WIAA Division 4 state semifinal at about 10:45 a.m. today.
"I think right now, looking at it, it's what you see on television and if you are lucky enough to go to a Badgers game and they are excited about that," Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan said.
Flanagan has guided the Warriors to a second straight trip to state. Flanagan said he doesn't expect the venue of the Kohl Center to have an effect on the players when the game tips off.
"It's what you dream of after you get the chance," Flanagan said. "You are scared to even let it enter into your mind that you might do it again. To have a second shot at something like this is something a lot of players and coaches never get. I think they are ready to take advantage of it."
Monroe coach Kevin Keen believes the Kohl Center is the big stage where the girls state tournament belongs.
"I think this is where it should be," Keen said. "The boys get to play here. The girls deserve to play here. It's much nicer to be in this building."
Monroe senior Jamie Armstrong understands her basketball career is coming to a close and she's looking forward to playing Winneconne in the Division 2 state semifinals at 1:35 p.m. Friday.
"There are so many great players who have played on this floor," Armstrong said of the Kohl Center. "Hopefully, it will be filled with fans and we will make it a close game."
The Cheesemakers (25-1), like the Warriors, have been a top-ranked team in their division most of the year and played with expectations.
"I don't feel any extra pressure," Monroe junior Kylee Ritschard said. "We have played with pressure before. We are all really excited."
Since Keen announced his retirement as Monroe's athletic director and coach at the end of the school year, the Cheesemakers want to give their coach an amazing sendoff.
"We just want to make the most of it for the seniors and Mr. Keen," Ritschard said.
Like Armstrong, Black Hawk senior Katie Place is excited to play her final prep game at the Kohl Center.
"I'm excited we got a feel for the floor," Place said.
Place and a couple of Black Hawk players noticed some brighter lights than compared to the lighting at the Alliant Energy Center.
"A couple of the girls said it (the lights) were hurting their eyes," she said. "I don't think it will be much of an effect on the game."
Place won't forget Black Hawk's first state trip last year and a loss to Six Rivers West rival Potosi.
"Coming back up here, we are going to make the most of it," she said. "As a senior, I want the season to be as long as it can be before it's over."
The state basketball tournament is back at the Kohl Center for the first time since 2005. For the last several years the state tournament was played at the Alliant Energy Center.
"We were in awe last year when we played at the Alliant Energy Center and this is 10 times better," Black Hawk senior Kim Wellnitz said after a shootaround Wednesday. "All I can say is this is where the Badgers play and that is totally awesome. I can't wait until tomorrow."
Black Hawk (26-1) will play Minong-Northwood in a WIAA Division 4 state semifinal at about 10:45 a.m. today.
"I think right now, looking at it, it's what you see on television and if you are lucky enough to go to a Badgers game and they are excited about that," Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan said.
Flanagan has guided the Warriors to a second straight trip to state. Flanagan said he doesn't expect the venue of the Kohl Center to have an effect on the players when the game tips off.
"It's what you dream of after you get the chance," Flanagan said. "You are scared to even let it enter into your mind that you might do it again. To have a second shot at something like this is something a lot of players and coaches never get. I think they are ready to take advantage of it."
Monroe coach Kevin Keen believes the Kohl Center is the big stage where the girls state tournament belongs.
"I think this is where it should be," Keen said. "The boys get to play here. The girls deserve to play here. It's much nicer to be in this building."
Monroe senior Jamie Armstrong understands her basketball career is coming to a close and she's looking forward to playing Winneconne in the Division 2 state semifinals at 1:35 p.m. Friday.
"There are so many great players who have played on this floor," Armstrong said of the Kohl Center. "Hopefully, it will be filled with fans and we will make it a close game."
The Cheesemakers (25-1), like the Warriors, have been a top-ranked team in their division most of the year and played with expectations.
"I don't feel any extra pressure," Monroe junior Kylee Ritschard said. "We have played with pressure before. We are all really excited."
Since Keen announced his retirement as Monroe's athletic director and coach at the end of the school year, the Cheesemakers want to give their coach an amazing sendoff.
"We just want to make the most of it for the seniors and Mr. Keen," Ritschard said.
Like Armstrong, Black Hawk senior Katie Place is excited to play her final prep game at the Kohl Center.
"I'm excited we got a feel for the floor," Place said.
Place and a couple of Black Hawk players noticed some brighter lights than compared to the lighting at the Alliant Energy Center.
"A couple of the girls said it (the lights) were hurting their eyes," she said. "I don't think it will be much of an effect on the game."
Place won't forget Black Hawk's first state trip last year and a loss to Six Rivers West rival Potosi.
"Coming back up here, we are going to make the most of it," she said. "As a senior, I want the season to be as long as it can be before it's over."
