MONROE - Some of the Lady Cheesemakers aren't finding the preamble to the WIAA Division 2 girls state basketball tournament as sweet as others.
Still dealing with the waning winter weather, the only Monroe player free of illness is sophomore Morgan Kennison, although none of her teammates have literal postseason fever.
"There's some coughing and stuffiness, but nothing major in there," Monroe coach Kevin Keen said.
Wednesday, the club traveled north for a 9:20 a.m. shootaround at Madison's Alliant Energy Center, where Monroe will face Altoona in Friday afternoon's second semifinal game. After running the practice routine and doing a few television interviews, the crew packed up and split for a one-hour rehearsal at Edgewood College in Madison.
The Lady Cheese also played summer league on the Eagles' home hardwood. Like Alliant, the floor has the extra 10 feet in length that nobody ever should have mentioned to Kennison.
"During the summer I didn't know it was longer, so I couldn't tell, but I felt it this morning," Kennison said.
Kennison, the first forward to pop off Keen's bench, is trying to save her precious lungs. In fact, she and her ill brother have taken up different residences for the week.
"Right now, me and my brother are separated because he's got the flu," Kennison said. "He's at my mom's and I'm at my dad's; he doesn't want to be the one to get me sick."
The ill effects of the dog days of winter didn't keep the group from being visibly excited to have a dry-run on the floor they'll be laying their hearts on Friday afternoon.
And, despite its collective sniffle, the club has Keen feeling calm with its even-keel demeanor this week. But that's nothing new.
"They're pretty focused and not too emotional and sometimes we've even expressed concern over how calm they are," Keen said.
"On the court, I really don't get worked up," sophomore point guard Gwen Sutter said. "Getting too worked up can take you out of your game."
Sutter, in particular, alleviated some of Keen's concerns as her zen-like approach had a sharper edge in the last two games.
"In the sectional games, she had a little different bounce to her step and a little more determination," Keen said.
If Emily Rufenacht seems overly stoic, it's simply because she's no stranger to state tournament preparation week. The coaching staff brought her up during her freshman year to step in for Sydnee Wyss when she sprained her ankle.
"She kind of came along for the ride so to speak," Keen said of Rufenacht's contribution to the 2006 state title team. "But she was wide-eyed and took it all in. She was a spectator on the inside and having gone through this experience will go a long way."
Jamie Armstrong, who is steering clear of her father since he's developed flu-like symptoms, is jealous of Kennison for her pristine health. Not to mention her diet, since Armstrong and her club volleyball team recently gave up sweets.
"Just lke Morgan said, I'm trying to eat right; but, unlike her, I can't have any sweets," Armstrong says as she punches Morgan in the leg.
"I'm wondering what I'm going to get in my Easter basket? Carrots?"
The only golden prize on Sutter's mind is the ball that would be awarded should Monroe win two ballgames over the weekend. But her anticipation for tipoff isn't preventing her from relishing the lead-up.
"We're enjoying it along the way," Sutter said. "You can only get this chance once a year."
Still dealing with the waning winter weather, the only Monroe player free of illness is sophomore Morgan Kennison, although none of her teammates have literal postseason fever.
"There's some coughing and stuffiness, but nothing major in there," Monroe coach Kevin Keen said.
Wednesday, the club traveled north for a 9:20 a.m. shootaround at Madison's Alliant Energy Center, where Monroe will face Altoona in Friday afternoon's second semifinal game. After running the practice routine and doing a few television interviews, the crew packed up and split for a one-hour rehearsal at Edgewood College in Madison.
The Lady Cheese also played summer league on the Eagles' home hardwood. Like Alliant, the floor has the extra 10 feet in length that nobody ever should have mentioned to Kennison.
"During the summer I didn't know it was longer, so I couldn't tell, but I felt it this morning," Kennison said.
Kennison, the first forward to pop off Keen's bench, is trying to save her precious lungs. In fact, she and her ill brother have taken up different residences for the week.
"Right now, me and my brother are separated because he's got the flu," Kennison said. "He's at my mom's and I'm at my dad's; he doesn't want to be the one to get me sick."
The ill effects of the dog days of winter didn't keep the group from being visibly excited to have a dry-run on the floor they'll be laying their hearts on Friday afternoon.
And, despite its collective sniffle, the club has Keen feeling calm with its even-keel demeanor this week. But that's nothing new.
"They're pretty focused and not too emotional and sometimes we've even expressed concern over how calm they are," Keen said.
"On the court, I really don't get worked up," sophomore point guard Gwen Sutter said. "Getting too worked up can take you out of your game."
Sutter, in particular, alleviated some of Keen's concerns as her zen-like approach had a sharper edge in the last two games.
"In the sectional games, she had a little different bounce to her step and a little more determination," Keen said.
If Emily Rufenacht seems overly stoic, it's simply because she's no stranger to state tournament preparation week. The coaching staff brought her up during her freshman year to step in for Sydnee Wyss when she sprained her ankle.
"She kind of came along for the ride so to speak," Keen said of Rufenacht's contribution to the 2006 state title team. "But she was wide-eyed and took it all in. She was a spectator on the inside and having gone through this experience will go a long way."
Jamie Armstrong, who is steering clear of her father since he's developed flu-like symptoms, is jealous of Kennison for her pristine health. Not to mention her diet, since Armstrong and her club volleyball team recently gave up sweets.
"Just lke Morgan said, I'm trying to eat right; but, unlike her, I can't have any sweets," Armstrong says as she punches Morgan in the leg.
"I'm wondering what I'm going to get in my Easter basket? Carrots?"
The only golden prize on Sutter's mind is the ball that would be awarded should Monroe win two ballgames over the weekend. But her anticipation for tipoff isn't preventing her from relishing the lead-up.
"We're enjoying it along the way," Sutter said. "You can only get this chance once a year."
