MONROE - Come tournament time, if the Monroe girls basketball team is going to make a run they will have to beat the best teams in Division 2.
The Cheesemakers' latest opportunity came against DeForest, ranked No. 5 in the WisSports.net Division 2 coaches poll. The Norskies had four players in double figures led by sophomore McKenna Minick's game-high 12 points to help the Norskies roll to a 74-37 Badger Conference crossover win over the Cheesemakers Thursday. With the win, DeForest improves to 9-0.
Monroe (3-5, 1-1 Badger South) has been battle tested early on with four of its five losses coming to teams ranked in the state's top 10. The Cheesemakers still have two games against No. 4 Monona Grove and a game against Clinton, ranked 10th in Division 3.
"There is a reason they (DeForest) are undefeated and ranked," Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said. "They showed how good they are tonight. We just want to take another step and get better."
The Norskies had an 11-0 first quarter run. DeForest senior Katie Klein scored on a putback and Minick scored on a layup to spark the surge. Monroe senior Taylor Barrett ended the cold spell as she hit two baskets to cut the Norskies' lead to 11-4. DeForest sophomore Cassidy Byrd drilled a 3-pointer to give the Norskies a 17-6 lead with 2 minutes, 20 seconds to go in the second quarter. Klein scored on a layup at the end of the first quarter to give the Norskies a 19-6 lead.
The Norskies used a 1-3-1 press throughout the game and the Cheesemakers had 22 turnovers.
"They (DeForest) are very athletic and run the floor really well," Mathiason said. "In a lot of ways I thought we handled their press and we just didn't convert and finish early on. We were in the right spots on the press. We just have to be able to convert. We just ran into a really good team that shot the ball great."
The Norskies used a 13-0 run to start the second quarter to take control of the game. DeForest sophomore Peyton Trapino had a conventional three-point play to spark the spurt. Byrd scored down low and the Norskies were able to get to the free throw line to extend their lead to 32-6.
Trapino scored 11 points and Klein and Jordanna Midthun each added 10 points. The Norskies displayed a deep team that has four players at 6-foot.
Bright spots for Monroe were the play of sophomore Brooke Adams and junior MacKenzie Hesgard who each had a team-high seven points. Monroe senior Kirsten Vetterli added six points.
"They are both first-year varsity players," Mathiason said of Adams and Hesgard. "They are still getting used to the speed and the size. It's one of those things where they took advantage of their opportunities. Brooke was able to get to the free throw line with some of her drives. They are trying to take it a step at a time and get better."
Monroe now gears up for the Snack Bowl game at Freeport at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11.
"I would like to think we have a chance," Mathiason said. "They can score. They have been scoring in the 50s and 60s."
The Cheesemakers expect a challenge from the Pretzels on the road.
"They will challenge us to play defense to limit their opportunities," he said.
The Cheesemakers' latest opportunity came against DeForest, ranked No. 5 in the WisSports.net Division 2 coaches poll. The Norskies had four players in double figures led by sophomore McKenna Minick's game-high 12 points to help the Norskies roll to a 74-37 Badger Conference crossover win over the Cheesemakers Thursday. With the win, DeForest improves to 9-0.
Monroe (3-5, 1-1 Badger South) has been battle tested early on with four of its five losses coming to teams ranked in the state's top 10. The Cheesemakers still have two games against No. 4 Monona Grove and a game against Clinton, ranked 10th in Division 3.
"There is a reason they (DeForest) are undefeated and ranked," Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said. "They showed how good they are tonight. We just want to take another step and get better."
The Norskies had an 11-0 first quarter run. DeForest senior Katie Klein scored on a putback and Minick scored on a layup to spark the surge. Monroe senior Taylor Barrett ended the cold spell as she hit two baskets to cut the Norskies' lead to 11-4. DeForest sophomore Cassidy Byrd drilled a 3-pointer to give the Norskies a 17-6 lead with 2 minutes, 20 seconds to go in the second quarter. Klein scored on a layup at the end of the first quarter to give the Norskies a 19-6 lead.
The Norskies used a 1-3-1 press throughout the game and the Cheesemakers had 22 turnovers.
"They (DeForest) are very athletic and run the floor really well," Mathiason said. "In a lot of ways I thought we handled their press and we just didn't convert and finish early on. We were in the right spots on the press. We just have to be able to convert. We just ran into a really good team that shot the ball great."
The Norskies used a 13-0 run to start the second quarter to take control of the game. DeForest sophomore Peyton Trapino had a conventional three-point play to spark the spurt. Byrd scored down low and the Norskies were able to get to the free throw line to extend their lead to 32-6.
Trapino scored 11 points and Klein and Jordanna Midthun each added 10 points. The Norskies displayed a deep team that has four players at 6-foot.
Bright spots for Monroe were the play of sophomore Brooke Adams and junior MacKenzie Hesgard who each had a team-high seven points. Monroe senior Kirsten Vetterli added six points.
"They are both first-year varsity players," Mathiason said of Adams and Hesgard. "They are still getting used to the speed and the size. It's one of those things where they took advantage of their opportunities. Brooke was able to get to the free throw line with some of her drives. They are trying to take it a step at a time and get better."
Monroe now gears up for the Snack Bowl game at Freeport at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11.
"I would like to think we have a chance," Mathiason said. "They can score. They have been scoring in the 50s and 60s."
The Cheesemakers expect a challenge from the Pretzels on the road.
"They will challenge us to play defense to limit their opportunities," he said.
