MONROE - For the second time since 2006, Monroe girls basketball coach Kevin Keen will be honored as the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association's Division 2 Coach of the Year.
Keen guided the Cheesemakers (22-5) to their third state championship last year and 12th Badger Conference title in his 20th year coaching. Keen, who last won the WBCA Coach of the Year award in 2006, understands with team accoplishments comes more achievements.
"It truly is an honor," Keen said. "It wouldn't have happened if it weren't for the players. The success we have had is a reflection of the players we have had in our program."
Keen will be honored Oct. 18 at the Marriott Hotel in Middleton. The Ludlow bar is selling tickets for a bus trip to the ceremony.
In a sectional title game last year, then as a junior Emily Rufenacht swished a game-winning 3-pointer to give the Cheesemakers' a 49-46 win over Delavan-Darien to advance to state.
"As the year went on I told the girls, you have to take advantage of opportunities as they come," Keen said.
The Cheesemakers seized the moment beating Freedom 42-34 for the WIAA Division 2 state basketball title for the second time in three years.
The Cheesemakers led 28-25 after three quarters, but pulled away with a 14-9 advantage in the fourth quarter.
"We have been blessed with a lot of tremendous kids," Keen said. "Not only basketball players, but true student athletes."
Keen knows with success, the Cheesemakers will be a marked team.
"I'm sure there are a lot of expectations this year," he said. "With the tournament, you never know. You have to be ready every night."
Keen guided the Cheesemakers (22-5) to their third state championship last year and 12th Badger Conference title in his 20th year coaching. Keen, who last won the WBCA Coach of the Year award in 2006, understands with team accoplishments comes more achievements.
"It truly is an honor," Keen said. "It wouldn't have happened if it weren't for the players. The success we have had is a reflection of the players we have had in our program."
Keen will be honored Oct. 18 at the Marriott Hotel in Middleton. The Ludlow bar is selling tickets for a bus trip to the ceremony.
In a sectional title game last year, then as a junior Emily Rufenacht swished a game-winning 3-pointer to give the Cheesemakers' a 49-46 win over Delavan-Darien to advance to state.
"As the year went on I told the girls, you have to take advantage of opportunities as they come," Keen said.
The Cheesemakers seized the moment beating Freedom 42-34 for the WIAA Division 2 state basketball title for the second time in three years.
The Cheesemakers led 28-25 after three quarters, but pulled away with a 14-9 advantage in the fourth quarter.
"We have been blessed with a lot of tremendous kids," Keen said. "Not only basketball players, but true student athletes."
Keen knows with success, the Cheesemakers will be a marked team.
"I'm sure there are a lot of expectations this year," he said. "With the tournament, you never know. You have to be ready every night."
