BUFFALO, NY - The last two times Monroe alum Ellie Radke played basketball in Madison, the Cheesemakers captured the 2006 Division 2 state title and she capped off a standout prep career at the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association All-Star game.
Now Radke's homecoming to the Badger state comes as a junior starter for the Canisius College women's basketball team, and she and the Golden Griffins are taking on the University of Wisconsin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Kohl Center.
The game against the Badgers (1-1) is the first of a two-game Midwest road trip for Canisius (1-1), a Division 1 school in Buffalo, N.Y. Canisius will play at the University of Illinois-Chicago on Tuesday night.
"I'm really excited to come back," Radke said. "It's always nice to come closer to home and have more of your family and friends watch you play. We are excited to play the Badgers."
Radke was named the 2006 WBCA Ms. Basketball after leading the Cheesemakers to their first state championship since 1989. Radke scored 47 points and snared 28 rebounds as Monroe swept its two games at state against New London and Whitefish Bay. She scored 22 points with 15 rebounds in the semifinals and scored 25 points with 13 rebounds in the championship.
During her final three years, Radke helped the Cheesemakers compile a 67-5 record, including 34-2 in Badger South play.
"She was very competitive," Monroe coach Kevin Keen said. "She hated to lose. She is probably one of the most athletic players I have ever coached. She could play inside and outside. She was a very versatile player."
Radke proved to be a three-sport star as a four-time WIAA Division 2 state swimming champion in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle and a state track and field placewinner in the high jump.
"In high school that is kind of the ultimate goal," Radke said of a state title. "Winning (a state championship) as a team means a lot more than individually. I think it takes more to win as a team."
This season, Radke is averaging seven points and six rebounds for the Golden Griffins.
Radke said her biggest basketball accomplishment is playing at the Division 1 level.
"That is the ultimate level unless you are going pro," she said. "I'm definitely fortunate in that aspect."
However, Radke's emergence in the starting lineup didn't come without some transition from a prep basketball standout with the Cheesemakers to a young developing player with Canisius College.
"I think the pace of the game is one of the biggest differences," Radke said. "When you are playing at the Division 1 level, you are playing with and against girls who are all on scholarship and are working year round."
Radke looks forward to the matchup with the Badgers.
"I definitely think we can match up with Wisconsin," Radke said. " I think they really have some talented players. Win or lose, it will be a great game and we will really be able to learn from it."
Now Radke's homecoming to the Badger state comes as a junior starter for the Canisius College women's basketball team, and she and the Golden Griffins are taking on the University of Wisconsin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Kohl Center.
The game against the Badgers (1-1) is the first of a two-game Midwest road trip for Canisius (1-1), a Division 1 school in Buffalo, N.Y. Canisius will play at the University of Illinois-Chicago on Tuesday night.
"I'm really excited to come back," Radke said. "It's always nice to come closer to home and have more of your family and friends watch you play. We are excited to play the Badgers."
Radke was named the 2006 WBCA Ms. Basketball after leading the Cheesemakers to their first state championship since 1989. Radke scored 47 points and snared 28 rebounds as Monroe swept its two games at state against New London and Whitefish Bay. She scored 22 points with 15 rebounds in the semifinals and scored 25 points with 13 rebounds in the championship.
During her final three years, Radke helped the Cheesemakers compile a 67-5 record, including 34-2 in Badger South play.
"She was very competitive," Monroe coach Kevin Keen said. "She hated to lose. She is probably one of the most athletic players I have ever coached. She could play inside and outside. She was a very versatile player."
Radke proved to be a three-sport star as a four-time WIAA Division 2 state swimming champion in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle and a state track and field placewinner in the high jump.
"In high school that is kind of the ultimate goal," Radke said of a state title. "Winning (a state championship) as a team means a lot more than individually. I think it takes more to win as a team."
This season, Radke is averaging seven points and six rebounds for the Golden Griffins.
Radke said her biggest basketball accomplishment is playing at the Division 1 level.
"That is the ultimate level unless you are going pro," she said. "I'm definitely fortunate in that aspect."
However, Radke's emergence in the starting lineup didn't come without some transition from a prep basketball standout with the Cheesemakers to a young developing player with Canisius College.
"I think the pace of the game is one of the biggest differences," Radke said. "When you are playing at the Division 1 level, you are playing with and against girls who are all on scholarship and are working year round."
Radke looks forward to the matchup with the Badgers.
"I definitely think we can match up with Wisconsin," Radke said. " I think they really have some talented players. Win or lose, it will be a great game and we will really be able to learn from it."
