SUN PRAIRIE - The Monroe girls basketball team left no doubt who was the better team after rolling to a 68-31 win over Jefferson in a WIAA Division 2 sectional championship Saturday in Sun Prairie.
With the win, Monroe (24-2), ranked No. 4 in the Division 2 Associated Press state poll, locks up a second straight trip to the Division 2 state tournament Friday at the Resch Center in Green Bay.
Monroe junior Sydney Hilliard scored a game-high 32 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had four steals. With her performance, Hilliard became the girls basketball all-time leading scorer in the history of Monroe's program with 1,370 points, breaking Ellie Radke's record (1,341). Hilliard was 3 points away from breaking Shanon Martini's single-game scoring record (34) she set against Stoughton in 1989.
"It was the goal all season," Hilliard said. "We wanted to get back to state. We knew we could do it. We are just excited and happy we can make a run in the state tournament."
Monroe coach Sam Mathiason didn't know Hilliard was so close to breaking the school's single-game scoring record. He was focused on the Cheesemakers punching their ticket to their second straight state tournament.
"I didn't know how many points she had," Mathiason said. "I think Sydney would be the first one to tell you that the team comes first. She's a team-first player. She's a great talent, and I'm glad she's on our team."
As a No. 1 seed and being ranked in the top five in the state all season, Monroe was heavily favored against Jefferson in the sectional title game.
"To have that target on us and expectations, I'm just really proud we were able to carry it through and get that sectional final win," Mathiason said.
The Cheesemakers opened the game with a 21-6 run. Hilliard and junior Emily Benzschawel scored on layups early on. Hilliard scored down low, and Benzschawel made a jumper to help the Cheesemakers set the tone with an 8-0 lead with 14 minutes, 18 seconds left in the first half.
Hilliard converted a 3-point play, and moments later Benzschawel drilled a 3-pointer to give the Cheesemakers a 16-5 lead. Sophomore teammate Grace Tostrud scored down low and then knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Cheesemakers a 21-6 lead with 8:38 left in the first half. Several moments later, Hilliard scored on two layups to give the Cheesemakers a 22-point lead, 38-16 with 3:03 to go. Monroe led the Eagles by 22 points at the half, 41-19.
Jefferson shot 27 percent (10 of 37) overall but struggled particularly in the second half, shooting 22 percent (4 of 18).
"I was really proud of our defense," Sam Mathiason said. "We gave up 19 points in the first half and 12 points in the second half. They have two guards who are really good, and we did a good job of making it difficult on them."
Emily Benzschawel added 12 points and had seven rebounds. Senior teammate Sydney Mathiason chipped in 8 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had four blocks. Sophomore Grace Tostrud pitched in 8 points.
"It feels really good," Sydney Mathiason said of making a return trip to state. "We were just hoping to play our best 36 minutes, and I think we did that."
The games against Morton, Illinois, New Berlin Eisenhower and Beaver Dam prepared the Cheesemakers for the big moments in the tournament.
"I think it's just all of the schedule," Sam Mathiason said. "The Badger South schedule and the nonconference games helped us, so when we get in games like this, we have the ability and skills to perform on a stage like this."
Monroe will play New Berlin Eisenhower in a Division 2 state semifinal at 3:15 p.m. Friday in Green Bay. The Cheesemakers knocked off New Berlin Eisenhower 65-47 Nov. 25.
"It's really exciting," Sydney Mathiason said. "The state tournament is a lot of fun. I'm just glad I have a year under my belt. I'm just going to go and play good basketball."
With the win, Monroe (24-2), ranked No. 4 in the Division 2 Associated Press state poll, locks up a second straight trip to the Division 2 state tournament Friday at the Resch Center in Green Bay.
Monroe junior Sydney Hilliard scored a game-high 32 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had four steals. With her performance, Hilliard became the girls basketball all-time leading scorer in the history of Monroe's program with 1,370 points, breaking Ellie Radke's record (1,341). Hilliard was 3 points away from breaking Shanon Martini's single-game scoring record (34) she set against Stoughton in 1989.
"It was the goal all season," Hilliard said. "We wanted to get back to state. We knew we could do it. We are just excited and happy we can make a run in the state tournament."
Monroe coach Sam Mathiason didn't know Hilliard was so close to breaking the school's single-game scoring record. He was focused on the Cheesemakers punching their ticket to their second straight state tournament.
"I didn't know how many points she had," Mathiason said. "I think Sydney would be the first one to tell you that the team comes first. She's a team-first player. She's a great talent, and I'm glad she's on our team."
As a No. 1 seed and being ranked in the top five in the state all season, Monroe was heavily favored against Jefferson in the sectional title game.
"To have that target on us and expectations, I'm just really proud we were able to carry it through and get that sectional final win," Mathiason said.
The Cheesemakers opened the game with a 21-6 run. Hilliard and junior Emily Benzschawel scored on layups early on. Hilliard scored down low, and Benzschawel made a jumper to help the Cheesemakers set the tone with an 8-0 lead with 14 minutes, 18 seconds left in the first half.
Hilliard converted a 3-point play, and moments later Benzschawel drilled a 3-pointer to give the Cheesemakers a 16-5 lead. Sophomore teammate Grace Tostrud scored down low and then knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Cheesemakers a 21-6 lead with 8:38 left in the first half. Several moments later, Hilliard scored on two layups to give the Cheesemakers a 22-point lead, 38-16 with 3:03 to go. Monroe led the Eagles by 22 points at the half, 41-19.
Jefferson shot 27 percent (10 of 37) overall but struggled particularly in the second half, shooting 22 percent (4 of 18).
"I was really proud of our defense," Sam Mathiason said. "We gave up 19 points in the first half and 12 points in the second half. They have two guards who are really good, and we did a good job of making it difficult on them."
Emily Benzschawel added 12 points and had seven rebounds. Senior teammate Sydney Mathiason chipped in 8 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had four blocks. Sophomore Grace Tostrud pitched in 8 points.
"It feels really good," Sydney Mathiason said of making a return trip to state. "We were just hoping to play our best 36 minutes, and I think we did that."
The games against Morton, Illinois, New Berlin Eisenhower and Beaver Dam prepared the Cheesemakers for the big moments in the tournament.
"I think it's just all of the schedule," Sam Mathiason said. "The Badger South schedule and the nonconference games helped us, so when we get in games like this, we have the ability and skills to perform on a stage like this."
Monroe will play New Berlin Eisenhower in a Division 2 state semifinal at 3:15 p.m. Friday in Green Bay. The Cheesemakers knocked off New Berlin Eisenhower 65-47 Nov. 25.
"It's really exciting," Sydney Mathiason said. "The state tournament is a lot of fun. I'm just glad I have a year under my belt. I'm just going to go and play good basketball."
