New Berlin Eisenhower coach Gary Schmidt vowed before the state tournament that his team's WIAA Division 2 state semifinal game against Monroe would be played differently than the first time the two teams played in November.
If there's anything to learn from the Monroe girls basketball team's 67-63 loss to New Berlin Eisenhower Friday at the Resch Center, it's when a team shoots lights-out and sets two Division 2 state records it's hard to overcome. Monroe defeated New Berlin Eisenhower by 18 points Nov. 25. This time around, the Lions made it hard on the Cheesemakers to finish at the basket.
It should not take away from the accomplishments of the Cheesemakers this season. Monroe finished the season 24-3 and repeated with Badger South Conference, regional and sectional championships. It was the second straight state trip for the Cheesemakers. Expectations were sky-high for Monroe this season and they rose to the occasion most games.
"As I told the team before the game, win or lose it wasn't going to change how I felt about them," Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said. "I've really enjoyed the ride we've had over the course of this season and we're lucky enough to be a part of that. Those are the memories I will take from this and I will know this is a special situation and a special team to be able to have those opportunities. For these players, for their families, for the community we have a lot of good memories. We have second generationers here that are part of that will add to the stories and smiles after we get through a little bit of this pain we have right now to not have a chance to play one more day."
It's tough any time a player or team ends the season with a loss. The interesting key will be seeing how much these two losses at state the past two years motivate younger players who will move up to the varsity and look to contribute. Monroe will have a talented core of players back next year with three starters - Sydney Hilliard, Emily Benzschawel and Grace Tostrud. Two other players will see bigger roles in sophomore Grace Mathison and freshman Megan Benzschawel. If the Cheesemakers want to get back in the position to compete for another run to state, several upcoming players will need to work to improve so they can contribute.
"Credit to this group for the entire year," Mathiason said. "To come in with the expectations they had and to play as well as they did to get back here for the second time in a row, a lot of credit to these kids for the way they have worked and improved."
Next year's senior class spearheaded by Hilliard and Emily Benzschawel will need support from the bench. We will see which players really want to work in the summer to improve and make that next step up in their games.
- Mark Nesbitt is a Senior Sports Reporter for the Monroe Times and can be reached at
mnesbitt@themonroetimes.com.
If there's anything to learn from the Monroe girls basketball team's 67-63 loss to New Berlin Eisenhower Friday at the Resch Center, it's when a team shoots lights-out and sets two Division 2 state records it's hard to overcome. Monroe defeated New Berlin Eisenhower by 18 points Nov. 25. This time around, the Lions made it hard on the Cheesemakers to finish at the basket.
It should not take away from the accomplishments of the Cheesemakers this season. Monroe finished the season 24-3 and repeated with Badger South Conference, regional and sectional championships. It was the second straight state trip for the Cheesemakers. Expectations were sky-high for Monroe this season and they rose to the occasion most games.
"As I told the team before the game, win or lose it wasn't going to change how I felt about them," Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said. "I've really enjoyed the ride we've had over the course of this season and we're lucky enough to be a part of that. Those are the memories I will take from this and I will know this is a special situation and a special team to be able to have those opportunities. For these players, for their families, for the community we have a lot of good memories. We have second generationers here that are part of that will add to the stories and smiles after we get through a little bit of this pain we have right now to not have a chance to play one more day."
It's tough any time a player or team ends the season with a loss. The interesting key will be seeing how much these two losses at state the past two years motivate younger players who will move up to the varsity and look to contribute. Monroe will have a talented core of players back next year with three starters - Sydney Hilliard, Emily Benzschawel and Grace Tostrud. Two other players will see bigger roles in sophomore Grace Mathison and freshman Megan Benzschawel. If the Cheesemakers want to get back in the position to compete for another run to state, several upcoming players will need to work to improve so they can contribute.
"Credit to this group for the entire year," Mathiason said. "To come in with the expectations they had and to play as well as they did to get back here for the second time in a row, a lot of credit to these kids for the way they have worked and improved."
Next year's senior class spearheaded by Hilliard and Emily Benzschawel will need support from the bench. We will see which players really want to work in the summer to improve and make that next step up in their games.
- Mark Nesbitt is a Senior Sports Reporter for the Monroe Times and can be reached at
mnesbitt@themonroetimes.com.
