FORT ATKINSON - The Monroe boys basketball team snapped a four-game losing streak with a 57-46 win over Fort Atkinson Thursday, Feb. 20.
Monroe senior Jake Hirsbrunner scored a game-high 23 points to pace the Cheesemakers. He was one of three players in double figures. Senior Charlie Kind scored 13 points and senior Alex Hendrickson added 10 points.
Monroe coach Pat Murphy credited the play of his five seniors including Kylan Helmeid and Noah Tostrud.
"At this time of year you have to have good leadership," Murphy said. "The seniors did a good job of not letting us lose."
Monroe (9-13, 4-8 Badger South) jumped out to a 14-6 lead in the first quarter and the lead snowballed to 11 points at the half.
"I hope it gives our guys some confidence that we can beat anyone and compete with anyone. We were just playing for pride," Murphy said.
The Cheesemakers were consistent scoring 13 or more points every quarter against the Blackhawks. Even though the Blackhawks outscored Monroe 20-15 in the fourth quarter, the Cheesemakers made some big free throws down the stretch.
"Sometimes your best defense can be a patient offense," Murphy said.
Black Hawk 71, Juda 43
SOUTH WAYNE - Black Hawk senior Seth Butler scored a game-high 22 points to power the Warriors to a 71-43 win over Juda Thursday.
With the win, Black hawk (17-5, 9-3 Six Rivers East) wins at least a share of the conference championship. Albany can get a share of the title if they beat Pecatonica tonight.
It's the second straight year Black Hawk has won the conference. The Warriors won the conference title outright last year and made a sectional run.
"It feels good for the kids, school and the community," Black Hawk coach Corey Manlick said. "It's always nice to win a conference championship. It's rare in certain sports. We have to readjust our focus and get ready for the next journey (regional) ahead."
Black Hawk junior Heath Butler scored 20 points and senior Brett Lovelace chipped in six points.
Juda freshman Matt Schmitt scored a team-high 15 points to pace the Panthers. Juda junior Cory Segner added 13 points.
Big Foot 67, Brodhead 51
WALWORTH - Brodhead couldn't overcome a tough first half and lost to Walworth Big Foot 67-51 on Thursday.
Big Foot (7-13, 6-9 Rock Valley South) jumped out to a 37-22 lead at the half.
Brodhead's Ned Slocum scored a team-high 17 points and Tjaden Sanders added 13 points.
With the loss, Brodhead drops to 3-19, 1-15.
Cuba City 70, Darlington 39
CUBA CITY - Preston Droessler and Zach Gaines combined to score 43 points to help the Cubans roll to a 70-39 win over the Redbirds.
Droessler scored a game-high 23 points and Gaines had 20 points. Cuba City raced out to a 21-10 lead in the first quarter and led by 18 points at the half.
The Redbirds (10-10) were just 5 of 15 from the free throw line. Darlington senior Cade Hardyman scored a team-high 11 points.
Monroe senior Jake Hirsbrunner scored a game-high 23 points to pace the Cheesemakers. He was one of three players in double figures. Senior Charlie Kind scored 13 points and senior Alex Hendrickson added 10 points.
Monroe coach Pat Murphy credited the play of his five seniors including Kylan Helmeid and Noah Tostrud.
"At this time of year you have to have good leadership," Murphy said. "The seniors did a good job of not letting us lose."
Monroe (9-13, 4-8 Badger South) jumped out to a 14-6 lead in the first quarter and the lead snowballed to 11 points at the half.
"I hope it gives our guys some confidence that we can beat anyone and compete with anyone. We were just playing for pride," Murphy said.
The Cheesemakers were consistent scoring 13 or more points every quarter against the Blackhawks. Even though the Blackhawks outscored Monroe 20-15 in the fourth quarter, the Cheesemakers made some big free throws down the stretch.
"Sometimes your best defense can be a patient offense," Murphy said.
Black Hawk 71, Juda 43
SOUTH WAYNE - Black Hawk senior Seth Butler scored a game-high 22 points to power the Warriors to a 71-43 win over Juda Thursday.
With the win, Black hawk (17-5, 9-3 Six Rivers East) wins at least a share of the conference championship. Albany can get a share of the title if they beat Pecatonica tonight.
It's the second straight year Black Hawk has won the conference. The Warriors won the conference title outright last year and made a sectional run.
"It feels good for the kids, school and the community," Black Hawk coach Corey Manlick said. "It's always nice to win a conference championship. It's rare in certain sports. We have to readjust our focus and get ready for the next journey (regional) ahead."
Black Hawk junior Heath Butler scored 20 points and senior Brett Lovelace chipped in six points.
Juda freshman Matt Schmitt scored a team-high 15 points to pace the Panthers. Juda junior Cory Segner added 13 points.
Big Foot 67, Brodhead 51
WALWORTH - Brodhead couldn't overcome a tough first half and lost to Walworth Big Foot 67-51 on Thursday.
Big Foot (7-13, 6-9 Rock Valley South) jumped out to a 37-22 lead at the half.
Brodhead's Ned Slocum scored a team-high 17 points and Tjaden Sanders added 13 points.
With the loss, Brodhead drops to 3-19, 1-15.
Cuba City 70, Darlington 39
CUBA CITY - Preston Droessler and Zach Gaines combined to score 43 points to help the Cubans roll to a 70-39 win over the Redbirds.
Droessler scored a game-high 23 points and Gaines had 20 points. Cuba City raced out to a 21-10 lead in the first quarter and led by 18 points at the half.
The Redbirds (10-10) were just 5 of 15 from the free throw line. Darlington senior Cade Hardyman scored a team-high 11 points.
