MADISON - After fielding questions about a 53-45 WIAA Division 2 state semifinal loss to Grafton on Friday, Monroe senior Emily Rufenacht walked to the locker room with coach Kevin Keen one last time.
Rufenacht closed the door on a historic season as she became the first basketball player to play in three state tournaments for the Cheesemakers.
"It's tough to see her go," Keen said. "I'm proud of everything she has done for Monroe basketball."
Rufenacht won't trade her state basketball experience for anything.
"It was a great opportunity for us to come back to state," she said. "It makes us a tougher team."
For a player renown for her lockdown defense, Rufenacht turned into a clutch go-to player for the Cheesemakers down the stretch. She averaged 12.5 points in the Cheesemakers' final seven regular-season games. She had a knack for making clutch shots with the game on the line.
Rufenacht always drew one of the toughest assignments and guarded the opponent's leading scorer. Rufenacht was critical in limiting Madison Edgewood senior Kenzie Kolb to just 10 points and 4-for-15 shooting in a 40-34 sectional championship win.
However, Rufenacht didn't get the chance to defend Grafton senior Sarah Eichler, who scored 16 of her game-high 24 points, to lead the Black Hawks to a 53-45 Division 2 state semifinal win over Monroe.
"She's a complete basketball player," Keen said of Eichler. "She can post up. She can go to the basket and she can pull up and hit the jump shot. I was very impressed with her."
In her final prep game, Rufenacht scored a team-high 10 points, including drilling two 3-pointers.
Despite struggling with turnovers down the stretch, Grafton coach Bob Maronde never felt comfortable.
"Our calling card is defense and it didn't show up until the second half," Maronde said. "They are the defending champs. They are every bit as good as last year. You respect them, but at the same time you go out and work your buns off."
Rufenacht hates to bid farewell, but she knows the Cheesemakers have the team to make another state run next year.
"The younger players I know are really good," Rufenacht said. "I know they are really good. I know they will do good next year. I'm glad I could play with them."
Rufenacht closed the door on a historic season as she became the first basketball player to play in three state tournaments for the Cheesemakers.
"It's tough to see her go," Keen said. "I'm proud of everything she has done for Monroe basketball."
Rufenacht won't trade her state basketball experience for anything.
"It was a great opportunity for us to come back to state," she said. "It makes us a tougher team."
For a player renown for her lockdown defense, Rufenacht turned into a clutch go-to player for the Cheesemakers down the stretch. She averaged 12.5 points in the Cheesemakers' final seven regular-season games. She had a knack for making clutch shots with the game on the line.
Rufenacht always drew one of the toughest assignments and guarded the opponent's leading scorer. Rufenacht was critical in limiting Madison Edgewood senior Kenzie Kolb to just 10 points and 4-for-15 shooting in a 40-34 sectional championship win.
However, Rufenacht didn't get the chance to defend Grafton senior Sarah Eichler, who scored 16 of her game-high 24 points, to lead the Black Hawks to a 53-45 Division 2 state semifinal win over Monroe.
"She's a complete basketball player," Keen said of Eichler. "She can post up. She can go to the basket and she can pull up and hit the jump shot. I was very impressed with her."
In her final prep game, Rufenacht scored a team-high 10 points, including drilling two 3-pointers.
Despite struggling with turnovers down the stretch, Grafton coach Bob Maronde never felt comfortable.
"Our calling card is defense and it didn't show up until the second half," Maronde said. "They are the defending champs. They are every bit as good as last year. You respect them, but at the same time you go out and work your buns off."
Rufenacht hates to bid farewell, but she knows the Cheesemakers have the team to make another state run next year.
"The younger players I know are really good," Rufenacht said. "I know they are really good. I know they will do good next year. I'm glad I could play with them."
