MONROE - Sophomore point guard Sydney Hilliard scored a game-high 33 points to lead the Monroe High School girls basketball team to a thrilling 75-66 double overtime win over Madison Edgewood on Tuesday.
Hilliard was one point away from tying the school's single-game scoring record, which was set by Shanon (Martini) Gorr in 1989 during a game against Stoughton.
"Edgewood was the conference pick by a couple of people you read," Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said. "It was exciting. There was a lot of energy in the gym. A lot of these kids have put in a lot of work, and it's paying off. I'm just proud and happy to get that team win. It's one conference game. We have to lace them up and be ready for Oregon next Friday."
Edgewood senior Katie Meriggioli made two free throws with 9 seconds to go in the second half to give the Crusaders a 51-49 lead. Hilliard hit a game-tying jump shot at the buzzer to send the game to a first overtime.
The Cheesemakers (3-0, 1-0 Badger South) led by as many as three points in overtime against the Crusaders, which were a WIAA Division 3 state tournament team last year and were ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll this season. Edgewood senior Caitlin Link drilled a 3-pointer with 2 seconds to go to send the game to double overtime.
The Cheesemakers dominated the second overtime, outscoring the Crusaders 15-6. Monroe sophomore Emily Benzschawel and Hilliard each had back-to-back three-point plays that gave the Cheesemakers a 66-62 lead. Monroe sealed the win by making 7 of 10 free throws in the second overtime.
Benzschawel scored 11 points and junior Sydney Mathiason added nine points. Junior Rachel Meier chipped in eight points off the bench and hit two 3-pointers.
Link scored a team-high 21 points to lead the Crusaders. Monroe senior Jordan Hirsbrunner limited Edgewood senior Estella Moschkau, a Stanford recruit, to just six points in the second half and two overtimes. Moschkau scored 19 points but was one of three Crusaders players to foul out in the two overtimes. Meriggioli added 18 points and also fouled out.
"Jordan and our team defense really made it hard on her," Mathiason said of Moschkau. "It's the second game in a row that Jordan's defense has been a key."
Darlington 68, Argyle 32
DARLINGTON - Senior Taryn Rankin scored a team-high 14 points and the Redbirds rolled to a nonconference win over Argyle (1-2) on Tuesday.
Darlington (3-0) outscored the Orioles 47-9 in the first half. Darlington junior Kennedy Rankin scored 12 points and hit two 3-pointers. Sophomore teammate Elizabeth Mathias had 10 points.
Argyle sophomore Jena Saalsaa scored a game-high 15 points and drilled two 3-pointers. Argyle's Kirsten Ostby added 12 points and hit three 3-pointers.
Belmont 58, Pecatonica 17
BLANCHARDVILLE - Belmont outscored Pecatonica 31-7 in the first half and rolled to a nonconference win.
Belmont's Cassandra Palzkill scored a game-high 14 points.
Senior Jessica Erickson scored a team-high six points for Pecatonica (0-2). Senior Adriana Johnson added five points and hit one 3-pointer.
Hilliard was one point away from tying the school's single-game scoring record, which was set by Shanon (Martini) Gorr in 1989 during a game against Stoughton.
"Edgewood was the conference pick by a couple of people you read," Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said. "It was exciting. There was a lot of energy in the gym. A lot of these kids have put in a lot of work, and it's paying off. I'm just proud and happy to get that team win. It's one conference game. We have to lace them up and be ready for Oregon next Friday."
Edgewood senior Katie Meriggioli made two free throws with 9 seconds to go in the second half to give the Crusaders a 51-49 lead. Hilliard hit a game-tying jump shot at the buzzer to send the game to a first overtime.
The Cheesemakers (3-0, 1-0 Badger South) led by as many as three points in overtime against the Crusaders, which were a WIAA Division 3 state tournament team last year and were ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll this season. Edgewood senior Caitlin Link drilled a 3-pointer with 2 seconds to go to send the game to double overtime.
The Cheesemakers dominated the second overtime, outscoring the Crusaders 15-6. Monroe sophomore Emily Benzschawel and Hilliard each had back-to-back three-point plays that gave the Cheesemakers a 66-62 lead. Monroe sealed the win by making 7 of 10 free throws in the second overtime.
Benzschawel scored 11 points and junior Sydney Mathiason added nine points. Junior Rachel Meier chipped in eight points off the bench and hit two 3-pointers.
Link scored a team-high 21 points to lead the Crusaders. Monroe senior Jordan Hirsbrunner limited Edgewood senior Estella Moschkau, a Stanford recruit, to just six points in the second half and two overtimes. Moschkau scored 19 points but was one of three Crusaders players to foul out in the two overtimes. Meriggioli added 18 points and also fouled out.
"Jordan and our team defense really made it hard on her," Mathiason said of Moschkau. "It's the second game in a row that Jordan's defense has been a key."
Darlington 68, Argyle 32
DARLINGTON - Senior Taryn Rankin scored a team-high 14 points and the Redbirds rolled to a nonconference win over Argyle (1-2) on Tuesday.
Darlington (3-0) outscored the Orioles 47-9 in the first half. Darlington junior Kennedy Rankin scored 12 points and hit two 3-pointers. Sophomore teammate Elizabeth Mathias had 10 points.
Argyle sophomore Jena Saalsaa scored a game-high 15 points and drilled two 3-pointers. Argyle's Kirsten Ostby added 12 points and hit three 3-pointers.
Belmont 58, Pecatonica 17
BLANCHARDVILLE - Belmont outscored Pecatonica 31-7 in the first half and rolled to a nonconference win.
Belmont's Cassandra Palzkill scored a game-high 14 points.
Senior Jessica Erickson scored a team-high six points for Pecatonica (0-2). Senior Adriana Johnson added five points and hit one 3-pointer.
