By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
No. 1 AP leaves zero doubt vs. Blue Devils
Cheesemakers win at Benton, DHS defeats Mineral Point
Avari Steiner
Argyle-Pecatonica’s Avari Steiner (2) lays it in for AP in the first half despite Evansville’s Carli Slater’s (44) block attempt. Argyle-Pecatonica went on to win the December 16 nonconference game 59-31. Steiner finished with 13 points. - photo by Mark Evenstad

ARGYLE — Argyle-Pecatonica left no doubt about their nonconference matchup with the Evansville Blue Devils as the 78ers led from beginning to end in a 59-31 win on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

AP jumped out to a 9-1 lead as senior Loretta Tisch made two free throws, got a steal and a layup, and senior Kylie Butler converted a three-point play. A floater on the baseline by Butler and an off-balance layup by junior Brooke Wellnitz put AP ahead 16-7 with under nine minutes left in the first half. Wellnitz then took off with a three, followed by a layup on an inbound play, and another three from at least 22 feet to put AP in front 25-11 with around four minutes to play in the first half. Argyle-Pecatonica led at halftime 30-13.

AP started out the second half on a roll. Butler scored inside, Tisch hit a three from the deep corner left, and Wellnitz drained a three to give AP a 40-18 lead with over 13:00 to go. Junior Avari Steiner scored on a layup off an inbound pass, Tisch followed with another layup, and Steiner made a reverse layup to put the 78ers ahead 54-25 with 3:40 left in the game. 

Tisch led a balanced AP attack with 18 points. Wellnitz, Butler, and Steiner each had 13 points. Senior Brooklyn Maves led Evansville with 15 points.

Argyle-Pecatonica (5-0, 3-0), ranked No. 1 in the latest Bound Wisconsin/Zaleski Sports Girls Basketball Division 5 Media Poll, will play a Six Rivers crossover game at Potosi-Cassville on Friday, Dec. 19.

monroe girls basketball
Monroe’s bench erupts following a first half basket in the Cheesemakers’ 63-49 win at Benton on Monday, December 16. - photo by Casey Lindecrantz

Monroe 63, Benton 49

BENTON — The Monroe Lady Cheesemakers led from the opening tip to the final buzzer in a 63-49 win over the Benton Zephyrs in girls nonconference basketball on Monday, Dec. 15. The game was originally scheduled for November 18, but was postponed due to a water main leak at Benton High School.

Monroe led by as much as 11 points in the first half, but the Zephyrs cut it to three points as the Cheesemakers got into foul trouble. Monroe led at halftime 30-25. Sophomore Analise Newcomer and senior Lauryn Quinn each hit a big three-pointer to maintain the Cheesemakers’ lead. 

Senior Alexis Gertsch scored 16 points, followed by sophomore Brynlee Scace with 15 points, and junior Braylee Friedrich with 10 points to lead the Cheesemakers in scoring. Junior Paisley Williams led Benton in scoring with 11 points.

Monroe (2-4, 0-3) hosted Whitewater on Thursday, Dec. 19 in Rock Valley Conference, Valley Division action.


Brodhead 71, Dodgeville 40

DODGEVILLE — Senior Alecia Dahl had 20 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and seven steals in the Brodhead Cardinals’ 71-40 win over the Dodgeville Dodgers in nonconference girls basketball on Tuesday, December 16. 

The Cardinals also got 14 points from senior Gretchen Kammerer, and 10 points a piece from senior Taiya Hawkins and freshman Ella Olson. 

The Cardinals rolled to a 46-19 halftime lead and scored 38 points in the paint for the game. Brodhead also scored 18 points in transition and 15 points off turnovers. The Dodgers shot just 27% and committed 16 turnovers.

Because of inclement weather, Brodhead (6-1, 2-1) had their RVC-Rock Division game originally scheduled against Clinton on Dec. 18 postponed to Tuesday, Dec. 23.


Lake Mills 51, New Glarus 39

LAKE MILLS — The New Glarus Glarner Knights managed to score just nine points in the first half of a 51-39 loss to the Lake Mills L-Cats in nonconference girls basketball action on Monday, Dec. 15. The Glarner Knights did outscore the L-Cats 30-16 in the second half, but the halftime deficit (35-9) was too much to overcome.

Freshman Kennedy Sysko led the Knights with 10 points. Junior Ellie Brenkman scored eight points and junior Kate Parman had six points for New Glarus. 

The Glarner Knights (4-3) were scheduled to host the Lodi Blue Devils in nonconference girls basketball on Thursday, Dec. 18.


Darlington 53, Mineral Point 45

MINERAL POINT — It’s been a while, but the Darlington Redbirds came up with a win over the Mineral Pointers in girls basketball. The Redbirds beat the Pointers 53-45 in SWAL Conference girls basketball on Tuesday Dec. 16.

The win snapped a streak of nine straight losses to the Pointers by Darlington. In Tuesday’s win, freshman Kayli Buschor scored 18 points and had three steals. Senior Catie Hartwig came up with 10 points, five rebounds, and four blocks.

Darlington (2-3, 2-1) had Southwestern on their schedule for a home game on Friday Dec. 19.