MADISON - The Lady Cheesemakers had their bid for a repeat as state champions ended Friday.
Grafton, led by highly decorated senior Sarah Eichler, outplayed Monroe down the stretch, winning 53-45 in a girls basketball Division 2 state semifinal at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.
The teams played close from start to finish, hitting 3-points, getting knocked down in the paint, and in the end, keeping their heads held high.
Eichler got into early foul trouble, getting called for two fouls in the first quarter and a third foul in the second. That didn't stop her from scoring eight points in the half.
Monroe senior Emily Rufenacht continued her strong play over the course of the second half of the season. Rufancht scored seven points in the first half and made plays up and down the stretch for the Cheesemakers, finishing with 10 points.
Monroe led 13-8 after the first quarter, but Grafton went on an 18-11 run in the second to take a 26-24 lead into halftime.
In the second half, Eichler stayed out of foul trouble, while continuing to capitalize on opportunities and finished with 24 points.
The UW-Green Bay recruit showed she can do more than score in the paint and grab rebounds. She ran the floor breaking the press, drove to the hoop numerous times from the wing, and even hit a big 3-pointer late in the half.
Monroe's forwards, Ashley Hermanson (9 points) and Jamie Armstrong (8 points) could only force Eichler to work around them while trying to develop a flow on offense. Hermanson fouled out with 51.1 seconds left.
The Cheesemakers started sending Grafton to the line for bonus free throws in the final minute, but Grafton virtually could not miss.
The Blackhawks finished 12-for-14 from the free throw line. Monroe finished 10-for-17. In the game, Monroe shot 37.5 percent, but that was after a 31 percent second half. Grafton, meanwhile, shot 43.9 percent.
Monroe, which won the Division 2 title last year, finishes its season 23-3.
Grafton, led by highly decorated senior Sarah Eichler, outplayed Monroe down the stretch, winning 53-45 in a girls basketball Division 2 state semifinal at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.
The teams played close from start to finish, hitting 3-points, getting knocked down in the paint, and in the end, keeping their heads held high.
Eichler got into early foul trouble, getting called for two fouls in the first quarter and a third foul in the second. That didn't stop her from scoring eight points in the half.
Monroe senior Emily Rufenacht continued her strong play over the course of the second half of the season. Rufancht scored seven points in the first half and made plays up and down the stretch for the Cheesemakers, finishing with 10 points.
Monroe led 13-8 after the first quarter, but Grafton went on an 18-11 run in the second to take a 26-24 lead into halftime.
In the second half, Eichler stayed out of foul trouble, while continuing to capitalize on opportunities and finished with 24 points.
The UW-Green Bay recruit showed she can do more than score in the paint and grab rebounds. She ran the floor breaking the press, drove to the hoop numerous times from the wing, and even hit a big 3-pointer late in the half.
Monroe's forwards, Ashley Hermanson (9 points) and Jamie Armstrong (8 points) could only force Eichler to work around them while trying to develop a flow on offense. Hermanson fouled out with 51.1 seconds left.
The Cheesemakers started sending Grafton to the line for bonus free throws in the final minute, but Grafton virtually could not miss.
The Blackhawks finished 12-for-14 from the free throw line. Monroe finished 10-for-17. In the game, Monroe shot 37.5 percent, but that was after a 31 percent second half. Grafton, meanwhile, shot 43.9 percent.
Monroe, which won the Division 2 title last year, finishes its season 23-3.
