MONROE — For someone who walked into the Monroe High School gym in the closing seconds of the Cheesemakers’ 57-37 win over East Troy Feb. 8, the celebratory cheers may have seemed to be solely in reaction to the final score.
While the 20-point win looked good in the scorebook, the players and fans were happier with all the winning that was taking place around campus in regards to honorary Cheesemaker starting guard — a 4-foot-1-inch second grader from Parkside Elementary, Kaelie “The Incredible” Wunschel.
“It puts everything in perspective about being thankful for the opportunities that we have and try to make the most of them,” Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said.
The emotions when they named that sixth starter and how everyone stood up and cheered, it just gave you those goosebumps that you get sometimes in special situations.Monroe coach Sam Mathiason
Kaelie was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in Nov. 2019 and has undergone extensive medical treatment in hopes of fending off the aggressive childhood cancer. Kaelie’s two oldest sisters are members of the Monroe girls basketball program: Megan is the team manager, and Allison is a freshman on the junior varsity.
Monroe High School set up “Kaelie the Incredible” night to take place back in January, only for inclement weather to postpone it.
“When we got ready to play that first game, she had come into practice the day before. We kind of had that lead-in. It was a neat day where she got to spend a whole bunch of practice with us. That got delayed, but that was super special,” Mathiason said.
With balcony seating available to ease an overstuffed crowd, Kaelie was announced as the sixth starter for the Cheesemakers to a standing ovation.
“The emotions when they named that sixth starter and how everyone stood up and cheered, it just gave you those goosebumps that you get sometimes in special situations,” Mathiason said.
Fundraising efforts and smiles were all the rage throughout the day, which included the boys team playing Stoughton later in the day. With over $5,600 raised during two “Miracle Minutes,” plus even more donations from area business and citizens, over $12,000 was raised to help assist the Wunschel family in recent weeks.
“We knew we had to play for her. With everyone here, it was great. That was a lot of support tonight,” junior Megan Benzschawel said.
Perhaps the emotion of the pregame festivities stuck with the Monroe players longer than expected. Monroe struggled out of the game against the winless Trojans (0-16) and trailed 13-7 more than nine minutes into the game. It was also the third game of the week for the Cheesemakers, with fatigue possibly settling in as well.
“It’s one of those ‘third game of the week’ — Tuesday, Friday and today. There’s a chance that you’ll have that in the regionals, so you mentally have to push through all of that. We didn’t have the same energy as we did both Tuesday and Friday, and that’s part of what you have to be able to work through,” Mathiason said. I thought our defensive intensity and effort was better in the second half.”
A 9-0 Monroe run turned into 20-4 stretch, and the Cheesemakers led 30-25 at halftime. In the second half, the Trojans proved to be no match, as Monroe held East Troy to just 12 points.
“It was a slow start, but we just had to keep playing our game and working their defense. We got it done,” Benzschawel said.
Grace Tostrud led Monroe with 20 points, including 14 in the first half with three 3-pointers. Benzschawel added 19 points for Monroe. Morgan Golabowski led the Trojans with 12 points, but she was also one of three East Troy players to foul out of the game.
We knew we had to play for her. With everyone here, it was great. That was a lot of support tonightMegan Benzschawel, Monroe junior
Things did not go according to plan for the Cheesemakers the night before, however. Monroe suffered a tough 84-70 road loss to Monona Grove Feb. 7.
Just four Cheesemakers scored in the game — all in double figures. Benzschawel had 21, while Tostrud had 20, Taylor Jacobson 19 and Grace Mathiason 10.
Jenny Gorton led Monona Grove with 29 points. The Silver Eagles led 40-39 at halftime but pulled away in the second half.
Monroe (9-9, 4-6) has four conference games left in the regular season, and all four come during a 10-day stretch. Stoughton (7-12, 3-8) comes to town Feb. 11, with a road game at Milton (7-13, 4-8) set for Feb. 13 and a home game two days later against Watertown (13-5, 8-2). A road contest at Stoughton Feb. 20 closes the regular season slate.
