STOUGHTON - The Monroe girls basketball team's tough start to the season continued Friday night, as the Cheesemakers fell to Badger South-leading Stoughton, 52-36.
Monroe found itself in an early hole after the Vikings took a 15-0 lead to start the game. But the Cheesemakers whittled away at the Stoughton lead, pulling to within eight of the Vikings at the end of the third quarter. Monroe ran out of steam in the fourth, though, as the Vikings outscored the Cheesemakers 12-4 in the final period.
Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said he was happy with the way his team fought back after the rough start.
"We did a great job of battling back in third quarter," he said. "We kinda just ran out of gas in the fourth quarter.
"We were kind of on our heels to start the game. They got off to a good start. We battled back and did a pretty good job the rest of the way."
Chandra McGuire led Monroe with 12 points. Other leading scorers for the Cheesemakers were Kirsten Vetterli with nine points, and Ellie Grossen with seven.
Monroe was once again without a pair of starters. Junior Taylor Barrett and senior Heather Barta were both out due to injury. Mathiason said the injuries give other players the opportunity to step up.
"Chandra stepped up with a good game," Mathiason said. "It's giving some kids some opportunities."
Monroe dropped to 1-7 overall and 0-3 in the Badger South with the loss. The Cheesemakers are now off until Dec. 29, when they will host Verona.
Monroe found itself in an early hole after the Vikings took a 15-0 lead to start the game. But the Cheesemakers whittled away at the Stoughton lead, pulling to within eight of the Vikings at the end of the third quarter. Monroe ran out of steam in the fourth, though, as the Vikings outscored the Cheesemakers 12-4 in the final period.
Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said he was happy with the way his team fought back after the rough start.
"We did a great job of battling back in third quarter," he said. "We kinda just ran out of gas in the fourth quarter.
"We were kind of on our heels to start the game. They got off to a good start. We battled back and did a pretty good job the rest of the way."
Chandra McGuire led Monroe with 12 points. Other leading scorers for the Cheesemakers were Kirsten Vetterli with nine points, and Ellie Grossen with seven.
Monroe was once again without a pair of starters. Junior Taylor Barrett and senior Heather Barta were both out due to injury. Mathiason said the injuries give other players the opportunity to step up.
"Chandra stepped up with a good game," Mathiason said. "It's giving some kids some opportunities."
Monroe dropped to 1-7 overall and 0-3 in the Badger South with the loss. The Cheesemakers are now off until Dec. 29, when they will host Verona.
