By Times staff
MONTICELLO - The Monticello girls basketball team battled back and forth with the visiting Braves throughout much of their game on Thursday, but a strong fourth quarter by the Ponies was enough to propel them to a 48-44 victory.
"I told our girls to not worry about the final outcome," Monticello coach Lori Brokopp said. "I just wanted them to come out and compete and battle against a tough Belmont team."
And battle they did. The two teams traded baskets throughout much of the first half, and by halftime, the Ponies trailed by six points. As the second half ensued, Monticello saw the gap widen to nine points.
"We were able to do a good job in hanging in the game," Brokopp said. "We were able to turn it around and apply some pressure and get some steals."
After trailing by five points entering the fourth quarter, the Ponies outscored Belmont 18-10 to take the lead and clinch the win.
"We didn't want to sit around and wait for things to happen in the fourth quarter. I thought we did a nice job in keeping a good tempo and finishing strong."
In wrapping up the regular season, Brokopp is looking to keep her team on track come next week's playoffs.
"I think that we're in a pretty good position," Brokopp said of her team. "Granted, we still have some things to work on before the playoffs start, but we've been in some close games this season. Not all of them have fallen in our direction, but I definitely think that those experiences will help us."
Alyssah Kubly scored a game-high 17 points, while Marissa Berg added eight points for the Ponies. Monticello hosts Williams Bay next Tuesday, March 4 in the opening round of the playoffs.
Brodhead 74,
Big Foot 20
BRODHEAD - The Brodhead girls basketball team capped off an impressive regular season with a 74-20 routing of the visiting Chiefs on Thursday night. With the win the Cardinals move into the playoffs with an undefeated record and a bye in next week's opening round.
Brodhead dashed all hopes of a close game for Big Foot, as the Cardinals stormed out to an early 50-9 halftime lead. Led by senior Carly Mohns, the Cardinals put the game away with solid team defense.
Mohns led all scorers with 21 points. Also turning in solid performances were Kylie Moe, Meg Duffield and Rachel Heller. Moe and Duffield had 14 points apiece, while Heller added 10 points to give the Cardinals four players in double figures.
New Glarus 49,
Lake Mills 44
LAKE MILLS - The Lady Knights were able to hold off a late rally by the host L-Cats in their regular season matchup, narrowly escaping with a 49-44 win in Lake Mills.
Throughout the first three quarters, New Glarus maintained a nine-point lead over Lake Mills, outscoring the L-Cats 45-34. However, the Knights struggled to put the ball in the basket late in the game, managing only four points in the fourth quarter. Luckily it proved to be just enough as Lake Mills fell short in their efforts.
The Knights had a relatively balanced scoring attack and were led by senior Karina Moen with 11 points. New Glarus (9-13, 4-6) will open postseason play next week against Highway 69 rival and eighth ranked Belleville on Tuesday, March 4.
Argyle 56,
Cassville 42
ARGYLE - The Orioles looked came out strong in the first half of their regular season finale against the Cassville Comets on Thursday night, compiling an 18-point lead before halftime en route to a 56-42 win.
For Argyle coach Kurt Ritschard, his team's start was detrimental to their win tonight.
"Our first half was excellent," Ritschard said. "We came out with a lot of energy, and we were pretty much able to accomplish what we wanted to do offensively. Defensively, I thought we played a strong game."
But despite his team's first half performance, Ritschard felt that his team left a lot to be desired in the second half.
"I thought we coasted in the second half," Ritschard said. "(But) you have to credit Cassville; they were able to make a couple of runs to widdle down the lead. Overall if we can translate what we did in the first half to the rest of the game and beyond, I think we can be a solid team come playoff time."
Senior Jessica Treuthardt put together an impressive all-around game, scoring 23 points for the Orioles, while also playing exceptionally well on the defensive side.
"I thought Jessica played phenomenal," Ritschard said of Treuthardt's performance. "Tonight she played a great game on both sides of the ball. Her play was big for us."
The Orioles host Albany next Tuesday, March 4.
Cuba City 74, Darlington 25
DARLINGTON - Undefeated in conference play and ranked fourth in Division 4, the Cuba City girls basketball team proved to be too much to handle for the host Redbirds as they won 74-25.
The visiting Cubans got all of their team's points in the game's first three quarters, but were held scoreless in the fourth.
"We knew that this was going to be a tough game for us," Darlington coach Kelly Rose said. "We thought that it maybe a little one-sided, but we fought hard and hopefully we can carry that mentality into the playoffs."
Taryn Rankin had eight points for the Redbirds.
Destiny 35, Juda 27
MILWAUKEE - The Panthers made the long haul on Thursday all the way to Milwaukee to take on the girls basketball team of Destiny High School. While the game remained relatively close, third quarter woes by the Panthers allowed Destiny to take a late advantage and hold on for a 35-27 victory.
Juda hosts fifth seeded Faith Christian next Tuesday, March 4.
Benton/Shullsburg 41, Albany 19
ALBANY - Defensive pressure set the tone early in Thursday's game between Benton/Shullsburg and the host Comets. Unfortunately for Albany, the visiting Zephyrs were able to run away in the second quarter and leave with a 41-19 win.
Most of the damage by Benton/Shullsburg was done between a second and third quarter stretch, where the Zephyrs outscored the Comets by 20 points. The deficit proved to be too much for Albany in their attempt at making a comeback.
Lyndsay Hoesly had nine points for Albany.
MONTICELLO - The Monticello girls basketball team battled back and forth with the visiting Braves throughout much of their game on Thursday, but a strong fourth quarter by the Ponies was enough to propel them to a 48-44 victory.
"I told our girls to not worry about the final outcome," Monticello coach Lori Brokopp said. "I just wanted them to come out and compete and battle against a tough Belmont team."
And battle they did. The two teams traded baskets throughout much of the first half, and by halftime, the Ponies trailed by six points. As the second half ensued, Monticello saw the gap widen to nine points.
"We were able to do a good job in hanging in the game," Brokopp said. "We were able to turn it around and apply some pressure and get some steals."
After trailing by five points entering the fourth quarter, the Ponies outscored Belmont 18-10 to take the lead and clinch the win.
"We didn't want to sit around and wait for things to happen in the fourth quarter. I thought we did a nice job in keeping a good tempo and finishing strong."
In wrapping up the regular season, Brokopp is looking to keep her team on track come next week's playoffs.
"I think that we're in a pretty good position," Brokopp said of her team. "Granted, we still have some things to work on before the playoffs start, but we've been in some close games this season. Not all of them have fallen in our direction, but I definitely think that those experiences will help us."
Alyssah Kubly scored a game-high 17 points, while Marissa Berg added eight points for the Ponies. Monticello hosts Williams Bay next Tuesday, March 4 in the opening round of the playoffs.
Brodhead 74,
Big Foot 20
BRODHEAD - The Brodhead girls basketball team capped off an impressive regular season with a 74-20 routing of the visiting Chiefs on Thursday night. With the win the Cardinals move into the playoffs with an undefeated record and a bye in next week's opening round.
Brodhead dashed all hopes of a close game for Big Foot, as the Cardinals stormed out to an early 50-9 halftime lead. Led by senior Carly Mohns, the Cardinals put the game away with solid team defense.
Mohns led all scorers with 21 points. Also turning in solid performances were Kylie Moe, Meg Duffield and Rachel Heller. Moe and Duffield had 14 points apiece, while Heller added 10 points to give the Cardinals four players in double figures.
New Glarus 49,
Lake Mills 44
LAKE MILLS - The Lady Knights were able to hold off a late rally by the host L-Cats in their regular season matchup, narrowly escaping with a 49-44 win in Lake Mills.
Throughout the first three quarters, New Glarus maintained a nine-point lead over Lake Mills, outscoring the L-Cats 45-34. However, the Knights struggled to put the ball in the basket late in the game, managing only four points in the fourth quarter. Luckily it proved to be just enough as Lake Mills fell short in their efforts.
The Knights had a relatively balanced scoring attack and were led by senior Karina Moen with 11 points. New Glarus (9-13, 4-6) will open postseason play next week against Highway 69 rival and eighth ranked Belleville on Tuesday, March 4.
Argyle 56,
Cassville 42
ARGYLE - The Orioles looked came out strong in the first half of their regular season finale against the Cassville Comets on Thursday night, compiling an 18-point lead before halftime en route to a 56-42 win.
For Argyle coach Kurt Ritschard, his team's start was detrimental to their win tonight.
"Our first half was excellent," Ritschard said. "We came out with a lot of energy, and we were pretty much able to accomplish what we wanted to do offensively. Defensively, I thought we played a strong game."
But despite his team's first half performance, Ritschard felt that his team left a lot to be desired in the second half.
"I thought we coasted in the second half," Ritschard said. "(But) you have to credit Cassville; they were able to make a couple of runs to widdle down the lead. Overall if we can translate what we did in the first half to the rest of the game and beyond, I think we can be a solid team come playoff time."
Senior Jessica Treuthardt put together an impressive all-around game, scoring 23 points for the Orioles, while also playing exceptionally well on the defensive side.
"I thought Jessica played phenomenal," Ritschard said of Treuthardt's performance. "Tonight she played a great game on both sides of the ball. Her play was big for us."
The Orioles host Albany next Tuesday, March 4.
Cuba City 74, Darlington 25
DARLINGTON - Undefeated in conference play and ranked fourth in Division 4, the Cuba City girls basketball team proved to be too much to handle for the host Redbirds as they won 74-25.
The visiting Cubans got all of their team's points in the game's first three quarters, but were held scoreless in the fourth.
"We knew that this was going to be a tough game for us," Darlington coach Kelly Rose said. "We thought that it maybe a little one-sided, but we fought hard and hopefully we can carry that mentality into the playoffs."
Taryn Rankin had eight points for the Redbirds.
Destiny 35, Juda 27
MILWAUKEE - The Panthers made the long haul on Thursday all the way to Milwaukee to take on the girls basketball team of Destiny High School. While the game remained relatively close, third quarter woes by the Panthers allowed Destiny to take a late advantage and hold on for a 35-27 victory.
Juda hosts fifth seeded Faith Christian next Tuesday, March 4.
Benton/Shullsburg 41, Albany 19
ALBANY - Defensive pressure set the tone early in Thursday's game between Benton/Shullsburg and the host Comets. Unfortunately for Albany, the visiting Zephyrs were able to run away in the second quarter and leave with a 41-19 win.
Most of the damage by Benton/Shullsburg was done between a second and third quarter stretch, where the Zephyrs outscored the Comets by 20 points. The deficit proved to be too much for Albany in their attempt at making a comeback.
Lyndsay Hoesly had nine points for Albany.
