MONROE — The Cheesemakers continued their impressive run to start the season, scoring a 74-64 nonconference win over Lakeside Lutheran Jan. 7.

Cade Meyer scored a game-high 26 points to lead Monroe (8-1). JT Seagreaves finished with 16 points for the Cheesemakers, while Carson Leuzinger had 14 and Max Golembiewski seven.

Lakeside Lutheran (6-4) was led in scoring by Carter Schneider (18) and John O’Donnell (17).

Up next for Monroe is a nonconference bout at Freeport Jan. 11, with a home game against Elkhorn (6-2) Jan. 14.

Darlington 71, Fennimore 57

DARLINGTON — In a battle of unbeaten ranked teams, the Redbirds came out on top thanks to a solid second half of a SWAL matchup Jan. 7.

The most recent Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division 4 poll was released the same day, which saw Darlington (10-0, 4-0) ranked third and Fennimore (8-1, 3-1) ranked fourth. Cuba City, which leads the SWAL, is No. 1 and unbeaten at 8-0.

The Redbirds led the Eagles by just four at halftime, but outscored Fennimore 41-31 in the second half.

Cayden Rankin and Carter Lancaster led Darlington in scoring with 24 points each. Rankin added eight rebounds and two steals. Curtis Stone had nine points, six rebounds and four assists, and Easton Evenstad added eight points.

Kellen Kenney led Fennimore with 22 points, while Adam Larson notched a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Darlington finished 29 of 53 from the field, including a perfect 9 for 9 at the free throw line and a 4 of 9 mark from deep. Fennimore was 8 of 17 from deep, but only put up 42 shots in the game. 

Monticello 63, Belleville 54

MONTICELLO — The Ponies picked up a nonconference win Jan. 6 thanks to another roaring game from junior Pete Gustafson, who scored 28 points.

Reece Rufer added eight for Monticello, while Devin Holtz and Simon Blohowiak each chipped in with seven points. Belleville was led in scoring by Trevor Syse, who had 11, and Sawyer Fahey, who had 10.

Monticello, which is now 9-0 on the season and ranked fifth in the WBCA Division 5 poll, led 26-21 at halftime.

Whitewater 76, Brodhead 72

BRODHEAD — The Cardinals led by eight at halftime but couldn’t hold back the Whippets during their game Jan. 7. Whitewater outscored Brodhead 44-32 in the second half.

Four Cardinals reached double figures in scoring: Owen Leifker and Connor Green each had 14 points, while Cody Malcook scored 13 and Brady Malkow added 10. Cade Walker chipped in eight points.

Jake Martin led Whitewater with 33 points — 16 in the first half and 17 in the second. Carter Brown added 15 for the Whippets.

Whitewater finished 15 of 28 from the free throw line including a 12 of 22 mark in the second half. Brodhead, which made five 3-pointers, went 21 of 31 from the line, including a 12 of 18 mark in the second half.

In other area scores, Argyle lost a nonconference game to Benton Jan. 6, 42-24.