MONROE - The tip-off to the championship season is around the corner as high school boys basketball teams gear up for the first-round of regional games Tuesday, Feb. 25.
"We like to say this is the third season," Monroe coach Pat Murphy said. "All of the games before Christmas are the first season. The games after Christmas until now are the second season. The third season is the tournament. It's exciting and nerve-wracking all wrapped up into one. There are a lot of emotions going through your head."
Monroe (9-13) is the fifth seed in the Division 2 regional and will play at fourth-seeded Oregon Tuesday, Feb. 25.
The Cheesemakers have split two games with the Panthers this year. Monroe is 3-8 in games decided by eight points or less this year, including overtime losses to Stoughton and Oregon. If the Cheesemakers can beat Oregon, they would have to play at No. 1 ranked Mount Horeb (22-0) on Friday, Feb. 28.
"Our regional is obviously stacked," Murphy said. "We have seven seniors who don't want it to end and they have seniors who don't want it to end. Anyone can beat anyone."
Monroe senior Charlie Kind averages a team-high 11.8 points per game and senior Jake Hirsbrunner is averaging 11.6 ppg followed by senior Kylan Helmeid (11.1 ppg).
The Cheesemakers will look to attack a taller Panthers team by driving to the basket and through moving the ball and making sure it gets inside.
In most games the Cheesemakers have won, they have thrived at getting to the free throw line.
"Offensively, we have to be aggressive taking the ball at them," Murphy said. "Our message is the same as it has been all year we want to get at least three guys in double figures."
In many of the Cheesemakers' losses this season, they have been inconsistent at getting the defensive stops needed to close out close games.
"We have to limit them to one shot," Murphy said. "We knew going into the year everyone was so close. Unlike most years it makes every possession on offense and defense matter that much more."
Division 3
Brodhead (3-19) enters the tournament with a four-game losing streak. The Cardinals have lost 13 of their past 14 games entering the tournament. Brodhead as a No. 12 seed will play at Evansville. Brodhead sophomore Ned Slocum (18 ppg) has proven that the Cardinals can be dangerous. The Cardinals knocked off Clinton in the season opener 62-51. Clinton finished second in the Rock Valley South. Brodhead lost to Evansville 64-43 earlier this year, but it was a 10-point deficit to start the fourth quarter.
"The big thing I told our kids is we they have to believe anything can happen come tournament-time," Brodhead coach Brian Kammerer said. "Evansville will look to stop Ned so we will need Griffin (Day) and Tjaden (Sanders) to step up for us. We will have to take care of the basketball or the same thing will happen."
Division 4
New Glarus (9-13) as a No. 8 seed will host Wisconsin 69 rival Belleville in the Baraboo sectional. It will be a grudge match between the two rivals. The Glarner Knights have split games with the Wildcats this year.
The Knights are led by sophomore Gavin Binger (12.1 ppg) and senior Martrell Dixon (8.7 ppg). Binger has relied on dribble penetration most of the season to spark the Knights. If New Glarus wins, they would play No. 2 ranked Mineral Point (21-0) on Friday.
"Every time we play Belleville it's a playoff-type atmosphere," New Glarus coach Travis Sysko said. "This will just amp things up. I know it will be an exciting atmosphere."
Third-seeded Darlington will open up regional play hosting No. 12 Brookwood in the Baraboo sectional. The Redbirds (11-11) finished tied for third in the Southwest Wisconsin Activities League with Boscobel. Darlington senior Cade Hardyman and junior Cole McDonald are both averaging 10.8 ppg.
The Redbirds have lost five of their past six games entering the tournament. If the Redbirds can beat Brookwood, they would play the winner of Wisconsin Heights and Fennimore.
Division 5
Pecatonica received a No. 8 seed and will host Seneca in the La Crosse Logan sectional. The Vikings are coming off an upset of Albany that spoiled the Comets' chances of earning a share of the Six Rivers East Conference championship with Black Hawk and Barneveld for the first time since 1978.
If Pecatonica (11-11) beats Seneca, the Vikings would get a shot against another Comets team. Pecatonica would then likely play No. 2 ranked Cassville. The Vikings are led by freshman A.J. Hendrickson (17.2 ppg) and junior Drew Schliem (14.1 ppg).
"Pecatonica is a scary team," Albany coach Derik Doescher said.
Black Hawk (17-5), the Six Rivers East co-champions, could be on a collision course with Catholic Central in the regional championship game of the Kettle Moraine sectional. However, it won't be an easy road. If Black Hawk makes a sectional run like last year where they lost to eventual state champion Randolph 56-53. Black Hawk will play Argyle Tuesday. If the Warriors defeat the Orioles, they will have to play the winner of Albany and Faith Christian in the regional semifinals.
"We have the potential to make a deep run," Black Hawk coach Corey Manlick said. "We have to take it one game at a time. They (Argyle) want the success we have had."
The Warriors are led by the Butler brothers - junior Heath Butler (17.8 ppg) and senior Seth Butler (14.6 ppg). Black Hawk swept Albany this year, but each game came down to the fourth quarter.
Albany is led senior Isaiah Shell, who was the conference player of the year, last season, and senior Mitchell Kauk (11 ppg).
Monticello (12-9) received a No. 5 seed and will play at fourth-seeded Williams Bay and eighth-seeded Juda will play at No. 1 seed Catholic Central. With the one-two punch of senior Lucas Marty (16.6 ppg) and junior Ben May (15.5 ppg), Monticello could be a sectional contender.
"Our conference has been tough," Monticello coach Mark Olson said. "No matter who you play you have to lace up your shoes tight and go to battle."
"We like to say this is the third season," Monroe coach Pat Murphy said. "All of the games before Christmas are the first season. The games after Christmas until now are the second season. The third season is the tournament. It's exciting and nerve-wracking all wrapped up into one. There are a lot of emotions going through your head."
Monroe (9-13) is the fifth seed in the Division 2 regional and will play at fourth-seeded Oregon Tuesday, Feb. 25.
The Cheesemakers have split two games with the Panthers this year. Monroe is 3-8 in games decided by eight points or less this year, including overtime losses to Stoughton and Oregon. If the Cheesemakers can beat Oregon, they would have to play at No. 1 ranked Mount Horeb (22-0) on Friday, Feb. 28.
"Our regional is obviously stacked," Murphy said. "We have seven seniors who don't want it to end and they have seniors who don't want it to end. Anyone can beat anyone."
Monroe senior Charlie Kind averages a team-high 11.8 points per game and senior Jake Hirsbrunner is averaging 11.6 ppg followed by senior Kylan Helmeid (11.1 ppg).
The Cheesemakers will look to attack a taller Panthers team by driving to the basket and through moving the ball and making sure it gets inside.
In most games the Cheesemakers have won, they have thrived at getting to the free throw line.
"Offensively, we have to be aggressive taking the ball at them," Murphy said. "Our message is the same as it has been all year we want to get at least three guys in double figures."
In many of the Cheesemakers' losses this season, they have been inconsistent at getting the defensive stops needed to close out close games.
"We have to limit them to one shot," Murphy said. "We knew going into the year everyone was so close. Unlike most years it makes every possession on offense and defense matter that much more."
Division 3
Brodhead (3-19) enters the tournament with a four-game losing streak. The Cardinals have lost 13 of their past 14 games entering the tournament. Brodhead as a No. 12 seed will play at Evansville. Brodhead sophomore Ned Slocum (18 ppg) has proven that the Cardinals can be dangerous. The Cardinals knocked off Clinton in the season opener 62-51. Clinton finished second in the Rock Valley South. Brodhead lost to Evansville 64-43 earlier this year, but it was a 10-point deficit to start the fourth quarter.
"The big thing I told our kids is we they have to believe anything can happen come tournament-time," Brodhead coach Brian Kammerer said. "Evansville will look to stop Ned so we will need Griffin (Day) and Tjaden (Sanders) to step up for us. We will have to take care of the basketball or the same thing will happen."
Division 4
New Glarus (9-13) as a No. 8 seed will host Wisconsin 69 rival Belleville in the Baraboo sectional. It will be a grudge match between the two rivals. The Glarner Knights have split games with the Wildcats this year.
The Knights are led by sophomore Gavin Binger (12.1 ppg) and senior Martrell Dixon (8.7 ppg). Binger has relied on dribble penetration most of the season to spark the Knights. If New Glarus wins, they would play No. 2 ranked Mineral Point (21-0) on Friday.
"Every time we play Belleville it's a playoff-type atmosphere," New Glarus coach Travis Sysko said. "This will just amp things up. I know it will be an exciting atmosphere."
Third-seeded Darlington will open up regional play hosting No. 12 Brookwood in the Baraboo sectional. The Redbirds (11-11) finished tied for third in the Southwest Wisconsin Activities League with Boscobel. Darlington senior Cade Hardyman and junior Cole McDonald are both averaging 10.8 ppg.
The Redbirds have lost five of their past six games entering the tournament. If the Redbirds can beat Brookwood, they would play the winner of Wisconsin Heights and Fennimore.
Division 5
Pecatonica received a No. 8 seed and will host Seneca in the La Crosse Logan sectional. The Vikings are coming off an upset of Albany that spoiled the Comets' chances of earning a share of the Six Rivers East Conference championship with Black Hawk and Barneveld for the first time since 1978.
If Pecatonica (11-11) beats Seneca, the Vikings would get a shot against another Comets team. Pecatonica would then likely play No. 2 ranked Cassville. The Vikings are led by freshman A.J. Hendrickson (17.2 ppg) and junior Drew Schliem (14.1 ppg).
"Pecatonica is a scary team," Albany coach Derik Doescher said.
Black Hawk (17-5), the Six Rivers East co-champions, could be on a collision course with Catholic Central in the regional championship game of the Kettle Moraine sectional. However, it won't be an easy road. If Black Hawk makes a sectional run like last year where they lost to eventual state champion Randolph 56-53. Black Hawk will play Argyle Tuesday. If the Warriors defeat the Orioles, they will have to play the winner of Albany and Faith Christian in the regional semifinals.
"We have the potential to make a deep run," Black Hawk coach Corey Manlick said. "We have to take it one game at a time. They (Argyle) want the success we have had."
The Warriors are led by the Butler brothers - junior Heath Butler (17.8 ppg) and senior Seth Butler (14.6 ppg). Black Hawk swept Albany this year, but each game came down to the fourth quarter.
Albany is led senior Isaiah Shell, who was the conference player of the year, last season, and senior Mitchell Kauk (11 ppg).
Monticello (12-9) received a No. 5 seed and will play at fourth-seeded Williams Bay and eighth-seeded Juda will play at No. 1 seed Catholic Central. With the one-two punch of senior Lucas Marty (16.6 ppg) and junior Ben May (15.5 ppg), Monticello could be a sectional contender.
"Our conference has been tough," Monticello coach Mark Olson said. "No matter who you play you have to lace up your shoes tight and go to battle."
