ELKHORN - The Monroe boys basketball team continued its hot start knocking off Westosha Central 51-36 on Friday in the second day of the Elkhorn tournament.
Monroe (9-1) won both games at the Elkhorn tournament and looks to build momentum before a showdown with Monona Grove (9-1) Jan. 4.
"To come out of the tournament 2-0 and to close out 2012 is a good thing," Monroe coach Pat Murphy said.
Westosha Central played a 2-3 zone throughout the game and led 18-9 in the second quarter. The Cheesemakers went on an 11-0 run to take a 20-18 halftime lead.
"We haven't seen a zone that much this year," Murphy said. "For the most part, we got the shots we wanted. We just didn't hit as many as we would have liked early on."
Everything started clicking for the Cheesemakers during the second quarter surge.
"I thought we attacked their zone better," Murphy said. "We got some stops on the defensive end and we got a few baskets in transition."
Monroe senior Alex Barenklau scored 12 points and junior Jake Hirsbrunner and senior Joe Latimer each added 11 points. Hirsbrunner hit three 3-pointers.
The Cheesemakers made more free throws (10) than Westosha Central shot (three). Monroe finished 10 of 15 from the free throw line.
"We always try to make more free throws than the other team attempts," Murphy said. "That's a big stat."
Monroe will now gear up for a showdown with Monona Grove (9-1, 3-0 Badger South). It's a doubleheader against the Silver Eagles. The Monroe girls basketball team will play Monona Grove at 6 p.m. Jan. 4 and the boys game will follow.
"There is a reason why they were picked at the beginning of the year to win the league," Murphy said. "They have a lot of guys back too. They have some good guards and a lot of size that hurt us last year. I know it will be tough on the road. It will be a challenge. It's a challenge that we are looking forward to."
Monroe (9-1) won both games at the Elkhorn tournament and looks to build momentum before a showdown with Monona Grove (9-1) Jan. 4.
"To come out of the tournament 2-0 and to close out 2012 is a good thing," Monroe coach Pat Murphy said.
Westosha Central played a 2-3 zone throughout the game and led 18-9 in the second quarter. The Cheesemakers went on an 11-0 run to take a 20-18 halftime lead.
"We haven't seen a zone that much this year," Murphy said. "For the most part, we got the shots we wanted. We just didn't hit as many as we would have liked early on."
Everything started clicking for the Cheesemakers during the second quarter surge.
"I thought we attacked their zone better," Murphy said. "We got some stops on the defensive end and we got a few baskets in transition."
Monroe senior Alex Barenklau scored 12 points and junior Jake Hirsbrunner and senior Joe Latimer each added 11 points. Hirsbrunner hit three 3-pointers.
The Cheesemakers made more free throws (10) than Westosha Central shot (three). Monroe finished 10 of 15 from the free throw line.
"We always try to make more free throws than the other team attempts," Murphy said. "That's a big stat."
Monroe will now gear up for a showdown with Monona Grove (9-1, 3-0 Badger South). It's a doubleheader against the Silver Eagles. The Monroe girls basketball team will play Monona Grove at 6 p.m. Jan. 4 and the boys game will follow.
"There is a reason why they were picked at the beginning of the year to win the league," Murphy said. "They have a lot of guys back too. They have some good guards and a lot of size that hurt us last year. I know it will be tough on the road. It will be a challenge. It's a challenge that we are looking forward to."
