MONROE - If Monroe's stunning 32-30 overtime loss to Oregon on Saturday, Feb. 15 was the final home game for the seniors, it will be a loss that will be tough to swallow.
Monroe (8-13, 3-8 Badger South) led by as many as 10 points. With the Cheesemakers down two points in overtime and 14.7 seconds to go, Monroe coach Pat Murphy called a timeout to set up a final play. Monroe senior Jake Hirsbrunner looked to drive to the basket, but the Cheesemakers couldn't get a shot off. Oregon's Mitchell Morhoff came up with a back-breaking steal to seal the Panthers' comeback win.
"We wanted to try to get Jake a shot at the end," Murphy said. "We didn't execute on that play. It turned into scramble city in the end."
The Cheesemakers are 3-8 in games decided by eight points or less this year, including overtime losses to Stoughton and Oregon.
"It's getting old," Murphy said. "You have to be able to make plays in the fourth quarter and we didn't. We are trying to buck a trend. Instead of finding ways to win, we are finding ways to lose. I think at times in the fourth quarter we lost focus. That is when you have to be razor sharp."
The Cheesemakers went on a 7-0 run to start the third quarter that was sparked by senior Charlie Kind scoring down low and senior Kylan Helmeid drilling a 3-pointer. Hirsbrunner hit a jumper with 5 minutes to go in the period to extend the Cheesemakers' lead to 23-13. The Panthers battled back with Andrew McCauley knocking down a 3-pointer to cut the Cheesemakers' lead 23-18 at the end of the third.
McCauley hit a 3-pointer with 2:02 left to slice the Cheesemakers' lead to 26-24. The Cheesemakers missed the front end of two one-and-one free throws at the end of the fourth quarter and couldn't seal it. The Cheesemakers committed 11 of their 14 turnovers in the second half.
"I think the 11 turnovers in the second half really killed us," said Kind, who scored a team-high 13 points. "That's 11 shots we didn't even get to shoot. We just have to be stronger with the ball. We didn't win the fourth quarter and that is why we lost the game."
Helmeid scored nine points and Hirsbrunner added eight points. The Cheesemakers had just three players score. Senior Noah Tostrud had a team-high eight rebounds.
With Monroe playing at Oregon in a WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinal Tuesday, Feb. 25, Kind is relishing a rematch.
"Offensively, we need to get some more scoring," he said. "I think the key is we need to limit our turnovers."
After the final game at home, Kind reflected on his career.
"I will always remember this experience," he said. "It's been one of the greatest times of my life with the guys and with these fans. It's one of the things you will never forget."
Murphy is still confident the Cheesemakers could have some magic moments in them before the season is over.
"We feel like we can beat anybody," Murphy said. "I've said that from Day 1. I'm sure people are tired of me saying that."
Monroe (8-13, 3-8 Badger South) led by as many as 10 points. With the Cheesemakers down two points in overtime and 14.7 seconds to go, Monroe coach Pat Murphy called a timeout to set up a final play. Monroe senior Jake Hirsbrunner looked to drive to the basket, but the Cheesemakers couldn't get a shot off. Oregon's Mitchell Morhoff came up with a back-breaking steal to seal the Panthers' comeback win.
"We wanted to try to get Jake a shot at the end," Murphy said. "We didn't execute on that play. It turned into scramble city in the end."
The Cheesemakers are 3-8 in games decided by eight points or less this year, including overtime losses to Stoughton and Oregon.
"It's getting old," Murphy said. "You have to be able to make plays in the fourth quarter and we didn't. We are trying to buck a trend. Instead of finding ways to win, we are finding ways to lose. I think at times in the fourth quarter we lost focus. That is when you have to be razor sharp."
The Cheesemakers went on a 7-0 run to start the third quarter that was sparked by senior Charlie Kind scoring down low and senior Kylan Helmeid drilling a 3-pointer. Hirsbrunner hit a jumper with 5 minutes to go in the period to extend the Cheesemakers' lead to 23-13. The Panthers battled back with Andrew McCauley knocking down a 3-pointer to cut the Cheesemakers' lead 23-18 at the end of the third.
McCauley hit a 3-pointer with 2:02 left to slice the Cheesemakers' lead to 26-24. The Cheesemakers missed the front end of two one-and-one free throws at the end of the fourth quarter and couldn't seal it. The Cheesemakers committed 11 of their 14 turnovers in the second half.
"I think the 11 turnovers in the second half really killed us," said Kind, who scored a team-high 13 points. "That's 11 shots we didn't even get to shoot. We just have to be stronger with the ball. We didn't win the fourth quarter and that is why we lost the game."
Helmeid scored nine points and Hirsbrunner added eight points. The Cheesemakers had just three players score. Senior Noah Tostrud had a team-high eight rebounds.
With Monroe playing at Oregon in a WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinal Tuesday, Feb. 25, Kind is relishing a rematch.
"Offensively, we need to get some more scoring," he said. "I think the key is we need to limit our turnovers."
After the final game at home, Kind reflected on his career.
"I will always remember this experience," he said. "It's been one of the greatest times of my life with the guys and with these fans. It's one of the things you will never forget."
Murphy is still confident the Cheesemakers could have some magic moments in them before the season is over.
"We feel like we can beat anybody," Murphy said. "I've said that from Day 1. I'm sure people are tired of me saying that."
