McFARLAND — After a 37-27 lead at halftime, the Spartans picked up the pace, scoring 49 second-half points in its regional semifinal win over Monroe on Friday, March 3.
“We did what we were supposed to do, but then they got into their transition game,” Monroe head coach Brian Bassett said. “They are lightning quick at every position. They are a lot faster in person than they are on tape. Hats off to them.”
James Seagreaves tied the game three times with buckets in the post, aided by defensive rebounds that set up his team’s offense.
The Spartans took the lead for good, though, with a 3-pointer from Kyle Kusson. McFarland extended its lead to 10 points with just under nine minutes remaining, but Monroe got back to within just one point in a matter of two minutes.
Brandon Bassett drained a three, took a charge and finished a three-point play at the free-throw line, while Charlie Wiegel received a kick-out pass from Seagreaves for three.
Once McFarland got into transition, though, the Spartans couldn’t be stopped. Deven Kulp and Kaden Meinholdt rained down shots from beyond the arc for a 10-point lead at halftime.
It was much of the same in the second half, as McFarland pulled away with a 23-4 run.
With two minutes remaining in the game, Brian Bassett substituted in his bench, where Braden Rupnow banked a three, and Taylor Herbst made a free throw.
Seagreaves finished with a double-double, recording 28 points with 19 rebounds. Brandon Bassett, also a junior, was the only other Cheesemaker to score in double figures with 12 points. He was a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.
After 25 games, Monroe concluded its season 13-12 overall and 6-8 in the Badger West. Seagreaves averaged a double-double to lead the team, with 16.2 ppg and a conference-best 10.3 rpg. Seniors Tucker Markham and George Brukiwcki also averaged double figures with 14.3 and 11.1 ppg, respectively.
The team graduates its core of seniors — Keatin Sweeney, Casey Dean, Rupnow, Brukwicki, Markham and Wiegel — which came off a Division 3-championship football season.
“We love the seniors. They battled to the end. They always do,” Brian Bassett said. “They’re always doing what they can do to try and get wins. All season long, they’ve been such good leaders. They brought that tenacity from the football field into basketball.”
