MONROE - A hot start and a solid finish may well describe Friday's 59-34 Cheesemaker win over Badger Conference foe Fort Atkinson in girls basketball.
However, it was the return of Paisley Bennett's father, Sgt. Michael Bennett of the 1158th Transportation Unit from Iraq, that set the tone for the night. Given an ovation from the crowd, Bennett said he was pleased to be back.
"It's nice to be back. I didn't get to watch her last year after we left in February, so I missed all of her softball games," he said. "I'd like to thank the Monroe radio station for broadcasting the games so we could listen to them oversees. It was great to see the girls win again."
Paisley got to see some valuable playing time during the game and scored a point on a fourth-quarter free throw.
"I feels good. Just knowing that I am actually scoring this year and he can actually see it is great," she said. "It's nice knowing that he's home again and in the stands so I don't have to worry about him. I knew like a week in advance (that he was coming back). I couldn't stay still wondering 'Is it time yet?' The day before I didn't even come to school because I couldn't even sit still."
Monroe head coach Kevin Keen said he was glad to see Sgt. Bennett back in the stands and home safely, and that he was proud of the way Paisley spent her time on the floor.
"We appreciate all that Mike and the service men and women do. We're blessed to live in a country like this where all those men and women put their life on the line for their country. It's special to have him come back," he said.
It was nearly a year ago, Feb. 18, that the 1158th left Monroe.
"I know it's tough on Paisley. I'm sure this is a nice outlet to have something to occupy her time and mind. I'm glad we got an opportunity to get Paisley in tonight and for her to get a free throw," Keen said.
Monroe (12-0, 6-0 Badger South) opened the game by outscoring Fort Atkinson (4-7, 1-4), 20-9. By halftime, the Cheesemakers led 35-14.
"I thought in the first half, especially in the first quarter we did a nice job of moving the ball," said Keen. "Even more than the offense, I was really pleased with the defense - we held them to nine and five points in the first two quarters."
Keen was also impressed by the play of senior guard Chelsea Brice, who scored eight points and held the Blackhawks' top scorer Lexie Wiegand scoreless, and junior Kylee Ritschard, who filled in for injured starter Kyleigh Sellnow.
"Chelsea Brice is playing with a little more confidence. Lexie Wiegand is averaging about 15 points a game and she didn't score against Chelsea. She had five points, but that was when Chelsea was on the bench," he said. "Kylee Ritschard did a great job again tonight, just like she has all year long."
Sellnow is expected to take a few weeks off with a groin injury that was re-aggravated in practice earlier this week.
Gwen Sutter and Jamie Armstrong each scored 15 points to lead Monroe and Ashley Hermanson had seven.
Monroe, currently ranked No. 1 in the state in Division 2 by both the Associated Press and WisSports.net Coaches Polls, travels to Madison Edgewood (7-4, 2-3) Jan. 26.
However, it was the return of Paisley Bennett's father, Sgt. Michael Bennett of the 1158th Transportation Unit from Iraq, that set the tone for the night. Given an ovation from the crowd, Bennett said he was pleased to be back.
"It's nice to be back. I didn't get to watch her last year after we left in February, so I missed all of her softball games," he said. "I'd like to thank the Monroe radio station for broadcasting the games so we could listen to them oversees. It was great to see the girls win again."
Paisley got to see some valuable playing time during the game and scored a point on a fourth-quarter free throw.
"I feels good. Just knowing that I am actually scoring this year and he can actually see it is great," she said. "It's nice knowing that he's home again and in the stands so I don't have to worry about him. I knew like a week in advance (that he was coming back). I couldn't stay still wondering 'Is it time yet?' The day before I didn't even come to school because I couldn't even sit still."
Monroe head coach Kevin Keen said he was glad to see Sgt. Bennett back in the stands and home safely, and that he was proud of the way Paisley spent her time on the floor.
"We appreciate all that Mike and the service men and women do. We're blessed to live in a country like this where all those men and women put their life on the line for their country. It's special to have him come back," he said.
It was nearly a year ago, Feb. 18, that the 1158th left Monroe.
"I know it's tough on Paisley. I'm sure this is a nice outlet to have something to occupy her time and mind. I'm glad we got an opportunity to get Paisley in tonight and for her to get a free throw," Keen said.
Monroe (12-0, 6-0 Badger South) opened the game by outscoring Fort Atkinson (4-7, 1-4), 20-9. By halftime, the Cheesemakers led 35-14.
"I thought in the first half, especially in the first quarter we did a nice job of moving the ball," said Keen. "Even more than the offense, I was really pleased with the defense - we held them to nine and five points in the first two quarters."
Keen was also impressed by the play of senior guard Chelsea Brice, who scored eight points and held the Blackhawks' top scorer Lexie Wiegand scoreless, and junior Kylee Ritschard, who filled in for injured starter Kyleigh Sellnow.
"Chelsea Brice is playing with a little more confidence. Lexie Wiegand is averaging about 15 points a game and she didn't score against Chelsea. She had five points, but that was when Chelsea was on the bench," he said. "Kylee Ritschard did a great job again tonight, just like she has all year long."
Sellnow is expected to take a few weeks off with a groin injury that was re-aggravated in practice earlier this week.
Gwen Sutter and Jamie Armstrong each scored 15 points to lead Monroe and Ashley Hermanson had seven.
Monroe, currently ranked No. 1 in the state in Division 2 by both the Associated Press and WisSports.net Coaches Polls, travels to Madison Edgewood (7-4, 2-3) Jan. 26.
