BELOIT — After defeating Kenosha Christian Life 30-22 on the first day of the South Beloit Thanksgiving tournament Nov. 25, Monroe went on to become runners up. The Cheesemakers beat host South Beloit 38-29 in the semifinal game but lost to Richmond-Burton 37-35 in the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 30.

Alexis Gertsch was named to the six-player all-tournament team, scoring 19 total points in the tournament. Others that joined her were Cameryn Winterland from Ashton Franklin Center, Aurora Hilton from Durand, Becca Krein from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Taniyah Crawford from South Beloit and MVP Meadow Rosendahl from Richmond-Burton. 

MONROE 38, 

SOUTH BELOIT 29

Both teams got out to a slow start in the first quarter with only 11 total points scored. By halftime, Monroe led 17-7. Gertsch led the way with 11 points, going 3-for-4 from the charity stripe. The Cheesemakers made four 3-pointers — a pair from Brynlee Scace, one from Brinley Roidt and one from Annalise Newcomer.

RICHMOND-BURTON 37, MONROE 35

Monroe was unable to overcome a 16-5 deficit in the first quarter, ceding the 2nd annual South Beloit Thanksgiving tournament championship to Richmond-Burton. Roidt got the Cheesemakers close, dropping a 3-pointer in the final minute, but her buzzer-beater fell short. She had 17 of Monroe’s 35 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Sophie Conway grabbed nine rebounds.