WAUNAKEE - Jamie Armstrong was looking for a bailout of her own Friday night.
Monroe's leading scorer managed one point in the first three quarters and five for the game amid foul trouble. Her teammates had plenty of points to give the struggling junior forward, and it worked as the Cheesemakers (22-2) defeated Richland Center 63-53 to advance to Saturday's sectional finals and a third game with Madison Edgewood (20-3).
"They were very physical to the point some of it was unnecessary," Armstrong said. "That's the one great thing about this team, is we can have a player or two come off the bench, jump in and be the leading scorers."
Players like junior forward Morgan Kennison. She came off the bench and spelled Armstrong and co-forward Ashley Hermanson when they both got into foul trouble. Kennison made the most of her opportunities, leading the team with 13 points, including five in a first quarter that saw Monroe double up the Hornets 18-9.
"We all know anyone can come out and be tough and play strong as a team," Kennison said. "We work to get the job done.
"I never know what to expect, but the job was given to me and I took it."
Gwen Sutter, Hermanson and Emily Rufenacht also answered the call. The trio had 10, nine and seven points, respectively.
Sutter said spreading out the scoring is "big-time" important to the Cheesemakers, who have four players averaging eight points or more per game.
"If someone's off, we can rely on someone else to hit the mark," Sutter said.
Sutter scored six of her points in the fourth quarter, including sinking four free throws when the Hornets crawled to within seven, then six points with 30 seconds left.
Sutter's free throw shooting was typical of the team's performance for the game. Monroe made 29 of 34 free throws, keeping a postseason pattern that saw them make 27 of 33 in a 49-37 regional final win against McFarland.
Kennison made all seven of her free throws. Hermanson was eight of nine.
"We value free throws a lot," Sutter said. "With the post game we have, we know we have to be good at shooting free throws."
Head coach Kevin Keen praised the efforts of Kennison and a couple other players who came off the bench. Kylee Ritschard had to play a larger role when Hermanson and Armstrong got in foul trouble. Chelsea Brice sank a three-pointer from about 30 feet as the buzzer signaling the end of the third quarter sounded.
"Kylee had a couple big plays and did a nice job on both ends," Keen said. "And Chelsea's shot was certainly an adrenaline booster."
The Cheesemakers will need all the adrenaline they can get 7 tonight at Janesville Craig, where Badger South Conference foe Edgewood awaits. They defeated Union Grove 46-33.
Monroe and Edgewood split their season series. The Cheesemakers' last loss was to Edgewood on Jan. 16. The Crusaders' last loss was to Monroe on Dec. 12.
"The kids were disappointed in that loss to Edgewood," Keen said. "They didn't play well and they would like to get a little redemption."
"We won one with them," Kennison said. "We have to bring all our might because it could be our last game, and no one wants it to be."
Monroe's leading scorer managed one point in the first three quarters and five for the game amid foul trouble. Her teammates had plenty of points to give the struggling junior forward, and it worked as the Cheesemakers (22-2) defeated Richland Center 63-53 to advance to Saturday's sectional finals and a third game with Madison Edgewood (20-3).
"They were very physical to the point some of it was unnecessary," Armstrong said. "That's the one great thing about this team, is we can have a player or two come off the bench, jump in and be the leading scorers."
Players like junior forward Morgan Kennison. She came off the bench and spelled Armstrong and co-forward Ashley Hermanson when they both got into foul trouble. Kennison made the most of her opportunities, leading the team with 13 points, including five in a first quarter that saw Monroe double up the Hornets 18-9.
"We all know anyone can come out and be tough and play strong as a team," Kennison said. "We work to get the job done.
"I never know what to expect, but the job was given to me and I took it."
Gwen Sutter, Hermanson and Emily Rufenacht also answered the call. The trio had 10, nine and seven points, respectively.
Sutter said spreading out the scoring is "big-time" important to the Cheesemakers, who have four players averaging eight points or more per game.
"If someone's off, we can rely on someone else to hit the mark," Sutter said.
Sutter scored six of her points in the fourth quarter, including sinking four free throws when the Hornets crawled to within seven, then six points with 30 seconds left.
Sutter's free throw shooting was typical of the team's performance for the game. Monroe made 29 of 34 free throws, keeping a postseason pattern that saw them make 27 of 33 in a 49-37 regional final win against McFarland.
Kennison made all seven of her free throws. Hermanson was eight of nine.
"We value free throws a lot," Sutter said. "With the post game we have, we know we have to be good at shooting free throws."
Head coach Kevin Keen praised the efforts of Kennison and a couple other players who came off the bench. Kylee Ritschard had to play a larger role when Hermanson and Armstrong got in foul trouble. Chelsea Brice sank a three-pointer from about 30 feet as the buzzer signaling the end of the third quarter sounded.
"Kylee had a couple big plays and did a nice job on both ends," Keen said. "And Chelsea's shot was certainly an adrenaline booster."
The Cheesemakers will need all the adrenaline they can get 7 tonight at Janesville Craig, where Badger South Conference foe Edgewood awaits. They defeated Union Grove 46-33.
Monroe and Edgewood split their season series. The Cheesemakers' last loss was to Edgewood on Jan. 16. The Crusaders' last loss was to Monroe on Dec. 12.
"The kids were disappointed in that loss to Edgewood," Keen said. "They didn't play well and they would like to get a little redemption."
"We won one with them," Kennison said. "We have to bring all our might because it could be our last game, and no one wants it to be."
