The bone-chilling cold that has swept through the area this week has put a deep freeze on local sports. There is nothing more depressing to a sports reporter than having the games wiped out.
Prep sports fans are blessed every day in southwest Wisconsin. There are several amazing accomplishments to celebrate in the new year.
The Monroe girls basketball team, despite a 48-45 loss to Sauk Prairie, is poised for another state tournament run. The Cheesemakers (9-1, 6-0 Badger South), ranked second in the Division 2 Associated Press state poll, are experienced and having two 6-foot-plus post players in juniors Ashley Hermanson and Jamie Armstrong. Monroe's a challenge for any team to stop.
My week was ruined when the bitter 35-below wind chills forced the postponement of the Barneveld at Black Hawk girls basketball game Thursday. The matchup between unbeaten conference teams will serve as a fundraiser for breast cancer research. Black Hawk (8-0, 3-0 Six Rivers East), ranked third in the Division 4 Associated Press state poll, now has even more time to raise money before the Feb. 7 rescheduled game.
The Monroe boys basketball team continued its success against Madison Edgewood and is primed to repeat as Badger South champions. Monroe (4-3, 4-0 Badger South) faces a tough test at Stoughton (5-3, 3-0) on Jan. 19 and will host the Vikings on Jan. 30.
The New Glarus boys basketball team, ranked eighth in the Division 3 Associated Press state poll, has the inside track on a Capitol South Conference title. The Glarner Knights (9-1, 2-0 Capitol South) are proving to be the most dangerous team with an athletic and balanced offensive attack.
In the Rock Valley South Conference, the Brodhead boys basketball team, behind senior Ryan Miller and 6-9 center J.J. Panoske, are leading the conference. I would love to see Monroe and Brodhead play each other. The Cardinals are a gritty team with solid post players in Panoske and Nick Jacobson. The Cardinals also have solid guard play from Miller and Jacob Cole. Both can shoot 3-pointers.
The Darlington girls basketball team is trying to spoil Cuba City's stranglehold on the Southwest Wisconsin Activities League. The Cubans, ranked No. 1 in the Division 3 Associated Press state poll, have won six straight SWAL titles. Darlington (8-2, 4-1 SWAL) is just one game behind the Cubans. The Redbirds will get their chance with a game at Cuba City on Jan. 20.
In the wrestling world, Monroe senior Gavin Wels at 112 pounds notched his 100th career win this year. Wels, who finished fifth at the WIAA Division 2 state meet last year at 103, has looked strong this season. Wels (29-1) already has defeated Dominic Garcia, the fifth-ranked wrestler in the state in Division 1. The Monroe wrestling team will host its home invitational Jan. 24. It will be a perfect opportunity to see some of the top wrestlers in the state.
Sugar River senior Kalvin York, a University of Wisconsin wrestling recruit, still is unbeaten. York (23-0), a two-time state runner-up, is chasing his first state title in his senior year.
There are so many scrapbooking moments ahead in sports. I can't wait for the stories to unfold ... weather permitting.
-Mark Nesbitt is the sports reporter for the Monroe Times and can be reached at mnesbitt@themonroetimes.com.
Prep sports fans are blessed every day in southwest Wisconsin. There are several amazing accomplishments to celebrate in the new year.
The Monroe girls basketball team, despite a 48-45 loss to Sauk Prairie, is poised for another state tournament run. The Cheesemakers (9-1, 6-0 Badger South), ranked second in the Division 2 Associated Press state poll, are experienced and having two 6-foot-plus post players in juniors Ashley Hermanson and Jamie Armstrong. Monroe's a challenge for any team to stop.
My week was ruined when the bitter 35-below wind chills forced the postponement of the Barneveld at Black Hawk girls basketball game Thursday. The matchup between unbeaten conference teams will serve as a fundraiser for breast cancer research. Black Hawk (8-0, 3-0 Six Rivers East), ranked third in the Division 4 Associated Press state poll, now has even more time to raise money before the Feb. 7 rescheduled game.
The Monroe boys basketball team continued its success against Madison Edgewood and is primed to repeat as Badger South champions. Monroe (4-3, 4-0 Badger South) faces a tough test at Stoughton (5-3, 3-0) on Jan. 19 and will host the Vikings on Jan. 30.
The New Glarus boys basketball team, ranked eighth in the Division 3 Associated Press state poll, has the inside track on a Capitol South Conference title. The Glarner Knights (9-1, 2-0 Capitol South) are proving to be the most dangerous team with an athletic and balanced offensive attack.
In the Rock Valley South Conference, the Brodhead boys basketball team, behind senior Ryan Miller and 6-9 center J.J. Panoske, are leading the conference. I would love to see Monroe and Brodhead play each other. The Cardinals are a gritty team with solid post players in Panoske and Nick Jacobson. The Cardinals also have solid guard play from Miller and Jacob Cole. Both can shoot 3-pointers.
The Darlington girls basketball team is trying to spoil Cuba City's stranglehold on the Southwest Wisconsin Activities League. The Cubans, ranked No. 1 in the Division 3 Associated Press state poll, have won six straight SWAL titles. Darlington (8-2, 4-1 SWAL) is just one game behind the Cubans. The Redbirds will get their chance with a game at Cuba City on Jan. 20.
In the wrestling world, Monroe senior Gavin Wels at 112 pounds notched his 100th career win this year. Wels, who finished fifth at the WIAA Division 2 state meet last year at 103, has looked strong this season. Wels (29-1) already has defeated Dominic Garcia, the fifth-ranked wrestler in the state in Division 1. The Monroe wrestling team will host its home invitational Jan. 24. It will be a perfect opportunity to see some of the top wrestlers in the state.
Sugar River senior Kalvin York, a University of Wisconsin wrestling recruit, still is unbeaten. York (23-0), a two-time state runner-up, is chasing his first state title in his senior year.
There are so many scrapbooking moments ahead in sports. I can't wait for the stories to unfold ... weather permitting.
-Mark Nesbitt is the sports reporter for the Monroe Times and can be reached at mnesbitt@themonroetimes.com.
