MONROE - Only time will tell if a gold ball is in store for the Cheesmakers girls basketball team with March Madness set to get underway.
Monroe will have to wait until Thursday night to begin its quest for a third-straight state tournament run.
Monroe (21-1), ranked No. 1 in the Division 2 Associated Press state poll, will open the WIAA Division 2 Verona regional Thursday night by hosting the winner of Platteville-Dodgeville.
"You can't take anything for granted," Monroe coach Kevin Keen said. "If you don't get past the first game, there is no next game."
Black Hawk, which is looking to make a second-straight trip to state, and many other area teams will tipoff in WIAA regional quarterfinals tonight.
Brodhead (14-8) behind Maryland-Baltimore County recruit Dana Lewis opens regional play tonight as the Cardinals host Evansville. If Monroe wins Thursday night, the Cheesemakers could play Brodhead Saturday for the Verona regional championship.
Monroe, which won the Badger South for the seventh-straight year, is seeking a third consecutive trip to the Division 2 state tournament. After announcing that he will retire as athletic director and head coach at the end of the year, Keen is hoping to make one more run.
"It's definitely mixed emotions," Keen said about this year's tournament. "It would certainly be nice to close it out with a good run and get to the state tournament. We all know that is not an easy task."
The Cheesemakers could face a tough road in the Janesville Craig sectional, which includes three of the top five teams in Division 2. The sectional includes Columbus (20-2), ranked third, Union Grove (20-2), ranked fifth, Sauk Prairie (18-4), which garnered nine votes for the top 10 and Richland Center (20-2), the No. 1 seed in the Baraboo regional.
The Cheesemakers are led by a trio of four-year starters including seniors Ashley Hermanson, a Nebraska-Kearney recruit averaging 12 points per game, Jamie Armstrong, a George Washington volleyball recruit (11.9 ppg) and Gwen Sutter (8 ppg).
"You have to be ready to play every night," Keen said. "Everyone gets fired up come tournament time."
Columbus, the Capitol North Conference champion, has won 12-straight games including a 41-36 win over Verona, Jan. 30. Union Grove also has been one of the hottest teams in the sectional with 12-straight wins. Richland Center, the Southwest Conference champion, has won eight consecutive games including throttling Waunakee, 70-43, the Badger North Conference co-champion with Sauk Prairie.
"After our loss to Verona we haven't played up to our potential, I think," Keen said.
Division 3
Darlington at Cuba City
The Redbirds will run into a familiar opponent as they play at the top ranked team in Division 3, Cuba City. The Cubans wrapped up their fourth-straight unbeaten season in the SWAL to win the conference championship. The Cubans swept two SWAL games from the Redbirds this year and won by an average of 29 points per game this year.
The Redbirds (8-14) have won four of their last five games, but face the difficult task of trying to slow down the Cubans who are seeking a second-straight trip to state. The Redbirds are led by senior Ashley Martin who averages (9.7 points per game) and sophomore Amy Jorgenson (9.1).
New Glarus at Belleville
The Glarner Knights will face a familiar opponent in Capitol South Conference rival Belleville.
Belleville (21-1), ranked fifth in Division 3 swept two games from New Glarus this year. The Wildcats beat the Knights by 26 and 11 points in the two games, respectively, earlier this year. If the Knights are going to upset the No. 2 seeded Wildcats, they will need big games from seniors Tanya Gruter (13.6 ppg), Michelle Preston (10.2 ppg) and sophomore Alycia Atwell (10.2).
Division 4
Benton at Black Hawk
Few teams enter the tournament as hot as Black Hawk (21-1), who has won 20-straight games since a loss to Orfordville Parkview Dec. 3. Black Hawk, ranked third in Division 4, is the top seed in the WIAA Division 4 Darlington regional and the Warriors will open up the first round hosting Benton.
"Hopefully, you have the momentum going into the tournament," Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan said. "We have to respect every team for what they are. They want to keep their season alive just as bad as you do."
Black Hawk senior Kim Wellnitz, who will play basketball at UW-Platteville next year, is expected to play after she missed the season finale March 5 against Monticello due to a jammed finger. Wellnitz averages 14.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. The Warriors have plenty of other playmakers including junior Rachel Rygh (10 ppg), senior Katie Place (9.2 ppg, 9.6 rebounds) and junior Melissa Wellnitz (8.8 ppg).
The Warriors, which won the Six Rivers East Conference for the second-straight year, are seeking their second consecutive state appearance after making the school's first trip last year.
If Black Hawk makes a run in the tournament, the Warriors could face Pecatonica (9-13) in the regional semifinals and Barneveld (15-7) in the Darlington regional title game. If the Warriors make a run to the sectional, they could face either Catholic Central or Six Rivers East Conference rivals Juda (11-11) or Albany (10-11).
Pecatonica at Shullsburg
The Vikings have lost four of their last six games heading into the regional quarterfinal tonight at Shullsburg.
Pecatonica senior Kimee Chandler, a UW-Milwaukee recruit, leads the Vikings (17 ppg, 7.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists) per game. Pecatonica junior Alisha Esselstein (12.2 ppg) could be a key player for the Vikings if they want to advance to the regional semifinals.
Argyle at Southwestern
The Orioles will try to avenge a 33-point loss to Southwestern in December.
Southwestern is led by 5-foot, 9-inch sophomore Katelyn Hoppman (15.8 ppg). Southwestern junior point guard Haley Jansen (12.2 ppg), who was sidelined in the Darlington game with an injury March 5, is expected to return.
Monticello at Albany
This is the rubber game between two Six Rivers East Conference rivals.
The Comets come into the tournament after losing seven of their last eight games. Albany has three players averaging double figures including juniors Sydney Bump (11.7 ppg), Hayli Peach (12.5) and Courtney Pfeuti (10.8).
The Ponies are led by Taylor Pfeuti (9.3), Kelsey Bernet (7.9) and junior Taylor Klitzke (7.1).
Williams Bay at Juda
The Panthers inside tandem of sophomore Ellen Kiser and senior Heather Boeke should have their ways in the regional quarterfinal against Williams Bay.
Kiser (15.8 ppg) and Boeke (11.2 ppg) should control the inside. For Juda to make a run at a sectional berth, it may hinge on its outside shooting when teams take Kiser and Boeke away.
Monroe will have to wait until Thursday night to begin its quest for a third-straight state tournament run.
Monroe (21-1), ranked No. 1 in the Division 2 Associated Press state poll, will open the WIAA Division 2 Verona regional Thursday night by hosting the winner of Platteville-Dodgeville.
"You can't take anything for granted," Monroe coach Kevin Keen said. "If you don't get past the first game, there is no next game."
Black Hawk, which is looking to make a second-straight trip to state, and many other area teams will tipoff in WIAA regional quarterfinals tonight.
Brodhead (14-8) behind Maryland-Baltimore County recruit Dana Lewis opens regional play tonight as the Cardinals host Evansville. If Monroe wins Thursday night, the Cheesemakers could play Brodhead Saturday for the Verona regional championship.
Monroe, which won the Badger South for the seventh-straight year, is seeking a third consecutive trip to the Division 2 state tournament. After announcing that he will retire as athletic director and head coach at the end of the year, Keen is hoping to make one more run.
"It's definitely mixed emotions," Keen said about this year's tournament. "It would certainly be nice to close it out with a good run and get to the state tournament. We all know that is not an easy task."
The Cheesemakers could face a tough road in the Janesville Craig sectional, which includes three of the top five teams in Division 2. The sectional includes Columbus (20-2), ranked third, Union Grove (20-2), ranked fifth, Sauk Prairie (18-4), which garnered nine votes for the top 10 and Richland Center (20-2), the No. 1 seed in the Baraboo regional.
The Cheesemakers are led by a trio of four-year starters including seniors Ashley Hermanson, a Nebraska-Kearney recruit averaging 12 points per game, Jamie Armstrong, a George Washington volleyball recruit (11.9 ppg) and Gwen Sutter (8 ppg).
"You have to be ready to play every night," Keen said. "Everyone gets fired up come tournament time."
Columbus, the Capitol North Conference champion, has won 12-straight games including a 41-36 win over Verona, Jan. 30. Union Grove also has been one of the hottest teams in the sectional with 12-straight wins. Richland Center, the Southwest Conference champion, has won eight consecutive games including throttling Waunakee, 70-43, the Badger North Conference co-champion with Sauk Prairie.
"After our loss to Verona we haven't played up to our potential, I think," Keen said.
Division 3
Darlington at Cuba City
The Redbirds will run into a familiar opponent as they play at the top ranked team in Division 3, Cuba City. The Cubans wrapped up their fourth-straight unbeaten season in the SWAL to win the conference championship. The Cubans swept two SWAL games from the Redbirds this year and won by an average of 29 points per game this year.
The Redbirds (8-14) have won four of their last five games, but face the difficult task of trying to slow down the Cubans who are seeking a second-straight trip to state. The Redbirds are led by senior Ashley Martin who averages (9.7 points per game) and sophomore Amy Jorgenson (9.1).
New Glarus at Belleville
The Glarner Knights will face a familiar opponent in Capitol South Conference rival Belleville.
Belleville (21-1), ranked fifth in Division 3 swept two games from New Glarus this year. The Wildcats beat the Knights by 26 and 11 points in the two games, respectively, earlier this year. If the Knights are going to upset the No. 2 seeded Wildcats, they will need big games from seniors Tanya Gruter (13.6 ppg), Michelle Preston (10.2 ppg) and sophomore Alycia Atwell (10.2).
Division 4
Benton at Black Hawk
Few teams enter the tournament as hot as Black Hawk (21-1), who has won 20-straight games since a loss to Orfordville Parkview Dec. 3. Black Hawk, ranked third in Division 4, is the top seed in the WIAA Division 4 Darlington regional and the Warriors will open up the first round hosting Benton.
"Hopefully, you have the momentum going into the tournament," Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan said. "We have to respect every team for what they are. They want to keep their season alive just as bad as you do."
Black Hawk senior Kim Wellnitz, who will play basketball at UW-Platteville next year, is expected to play after she missed the season finale March 5 against Monticello due to a jammed finger. Wellnitz averages 14.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. The Warriors have plenty of other playmakers including junior Rachel Rygh (10 ppg), senior Katie Place (9.2 ppg, 9.6 rebounds) and junior Melissa Wellnitz (8.8 ppg).
The Warriors, which won the Six Rivers East Conference for the second-straight year, are seeking their second consecutive state appearance after making the school's first trip last year.
If Black Hawk makes a run in the tournament, the Warriors could face Pecatonica (9-13) in the regional semifinals and Barneveld (15-7) in the Darlington regional title game. If the Warriors make a run to the sectional, they could face either Catholic Central or Six Rivers East Conference rivals Juda (11-11) or Albany (10-11).
Pecatonica at Shullsburg
The Vikings have lost four of their last six games heading into the regional quarterfinal tonight at Shullsburg.
Pecatonica senior Kimee Chandler, a UW-Milwaukee recruit, leads the Vikings (17 ppg, 7.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists) per game. Pecatonica junior Alisha Esselstein (12.2 ppg) could be a key player for the Vikings if they want to advance to the regional semifinals.
Argyle at Southwestern
The Orioles will try to avenge a 33-point loss to Southwestern in December.
Southwestern is led by 5-foot, 9-inch sophomore Katelyn Hoppman (15.8 ppg). Southwestern junior point guard Haley Jansen (12.2 ppg), who was sidelined in the Darlington game with an injury March 5, is expected to return.
Monticello at Albany
This is the rubber game between two Six Rivers East Conference rivals.
The Comets come into the tournament after losing seven of their last eight games. Albany has three players averaging double figures including juniors Sydney Bump (11.7 ppg), Hayli Peach (12.5) and Courtney Pfeuti (10.8).
The Ponies are led by Taylor Pfeuti (9.3), Kelsey Bernet (7.9) and junior Taylor Klitzke (7.1).
Williams Bay at Juda
The Panthers inside tandem of sophomore Ellen Kiser and senior Heather Boeke should have their ways in the regional quarterfinal against Williams Bay.
Kiser (15.8 ppg) and Boeke (11.2 ppg) should control the inside. For Juda to make a run at a sectional berth, it may hinge on its outside shooting when teams take Kiser and Boeke away.
