GREEN BAY – For the sixth time in history, the Monroe girls
basketball is bringing home hardware from the state tournament. Unfortunately, this
time it is the silver ball.
The Cheesemakers lost to Beaver Dam 65-46 March 9 in the WIAA Division 2 state championship. It is the third time Monroe has finished runner-up at state. Beaver Dam is now one of just five teams to win three consecutive state championships.
“It was really emotional leaving the court for the last time,” Monroe senior Sydney Hilliard said. “But I am extremely proud of how we played and how we battled. Beaver Dam is one of the toughest teams not only in the state, but in the country.”
It was really emotional leaving the court for the last time. But I am extremely proud of how we played and how we battled. Beaver Dam is one of the toughest teams not only in the state, but in the country.Monroe senior Sydney Hilliard
Beaver Dam (27-1), ranked 10th nationally by MaxPreps' Xcellent 25, has six players offered or committed to playing DI college basketball. The Beavers opened the game on an 18-2 run thanks in part to aggressive defense, some early success from the 3-point line, and a slow start offensively for Monroe. The Cheesemakers had seven turnovers and were just 1-for-6 from the field when they found themselves down by 16 just seven minutes into the game.
“You know that they’re good, you know that they put a lot of pressure, you try to stay composed – they just speed you up,” Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said. “As they speed you up, all of a sudden those shots that you knock down don’t go down, or you cause a turnover because you are a little quicker with your feet than you need to be.”
Slowly the Cheesemakers began to chip away at the lead and brought the deficit to 11 by halftime. Twice early on in the second half the Cheesemakers made it a single-digit ball game. But every time it seemed Monroe was ready to break through and change the complexity of the game, the Beavers would hit a big 3-pointer and extend the lead further.
“We would always make a push and then somehow they’d always hit a 3 or something. It’s always tough when they hit a shot after we get on a run,” Hilliard said.
Hilliard led all scorers with 23 points for Monroe. She finishes her career with 1,991 points. Teammate Emily Benzschawel, No. 3 all-time in program history in scoring at 1,221, scored 11 in her final game in a Monroe uniform.
At the end when we gave each other hugs, we knew that was the last time we’d ever play with each other. It’s hard to think about, but we knew it was coming to an end and we’re glad it ended with a ball.Monroe senior Emily Benzschawel
“At the end when we gave each other hugs, we knew that was the last time we’d ever play with each other. It’s hard to think about, but we knew it was coming to an end and we’re glad it ended with a ball,” Benzschawel said.
The Cheesemakers will hold a firetruck procession into Monroe around 4:45 p.m. Sunday, followed by a pep rally at the high school at 5 p.m.
For more information on the championship, as well as Monroe’s semifinal win over Whitefish Bay from March 8, see the March 13 edition of the Monroe Times.
