FREEPORT — Monroe traveled to Freeport for the annual Snack Bowl on Friday, Dec. 30, where the Pretzels prevailed 3-2.

Since the first series in 2007-08, Monroe has won the Snack Bowl 11 times compared to Freeport’s six victories. The only tie came in 2011-12. Since then, overall free-throw percentage has been the tie-breaking criteria. The Cheesemakers benefited from this rule in 2015-16. Weather canceled the series in 2018-19, and the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the 2020-21 series from occurring.

This was the seventh year of an outright champion with no tie possible, as Freeport did not have a JV2 girls team.

Monroe boys JV2 fell by a score of 46-30, followed by a 44-41 overtime loss by the boys JV. Conversely, Monroe girls JV won 28-21.

The girls varsity couldn’t have picked up their first win of the season at a more opportune time, defeating the Pretzels 39-30. Monroe had a 10-point lead at half, and despite being outscored 17-16 in the second half, held on for the win.

Taylor Jacobson had just over half of the Cheesemaker’s points with 20. The next highest scorers were Abbey Matley and Lindsay Leuzinger with five points each. Monroe made three 3-pointers, one each from Jacobson, Leuzinger and Wunschel.

Freeport had just four players score. Raniyah Shirley led with 16 points, including two 3-pointers. Mekaeyana Walker-Castle followed with eight points. Aaliyah Martin scored four points, while Taylor Griffin totaled two points.

The girls’ victory set up a winner-take-all boys varsity matchup, where Freeport won 61-55.

The Pretzels jumped out to a 25-2 lead after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Cheesemakers responded to outscore Freeport 18-7, but they still trailed 32-20. With a 20-point third quarter, Monroe got within one at 41-40. The Pretzels came alive again in the fourth and final quarter for 20 points to secure the win.

George Brukwicki led with 16 points, including two of Monroe’s four 3-pointers. James Seagreaves was right behind him with 15 points. Tucker Markham was the third player in double figures with 10 points.

Kal-El Sims led the Pretzels with 26 points, nine of which came from beyond the arc. Elijah Richmond followed with 15 points. Jaylen Dewey was the third player in double figures with 10 points.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

CUBA CITY 60, BRODHEAD 46

BRODHEAD — The Cardinals suffered their third loss of the season in a nonconference matchup against the Cubans on Thursday, Dec. 29.

Brodhead trailed just 25-23 at halftime, but Cuba City scored 35 points in the second half to pull away for the victory.

Addison Yates was the only Cardinal to score in double figures, tallying 10 points. Alexis Kammerer trailed with nine points and Brodhead’s only 3-pointer. Makenna Schooff and Abbie Dix each put up eight points.

The Cardinals shot just over 50% at the free-throw line, going 13-for-23. Taetum Hoesly, Yates and Dix had four free throws each.

Olivia Olson led the way for Cuba City with 23 points, with nine points coming at the charity stripe. The next highest scorer was Ashley Rowe with eight points. The Cubans made five 3-pointers, led by Olson with two. Emily Wiegman (four points), Jenna Dailey (seven points) and Rowe had one 3-pointer each.

Cuba City shot 61% from the free-throw line, going 17-for-28. Olson had nine free throws, followed by Ella Vosberg and Grace Cummins with three each. 

In other local basketball action, Black Hawk boys basketball hosted Mineral Point. The Warriors fell by a score of 79-39.