MOUNT HOREB - Monroe senior Taylor Barrett didn't expect to walk off the court for the final time with tears in her eyes Tuesday night.
There were no words that could take away from her career after a 42-26 loss to Mount Horeb in a WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinal.
Barrett scored four points and had seven rebounds in her final game for Monroe.
"With our record, for most people it wouldn't have been a successful season," Barrett said. "It was a great experience. I would just like to thank my teammates for bringing me on this ride."
It was a bumpy ride early on for the Cheesemakers. Mount Horeb (15-8) raced out with a 13-0 run in the first quarter fueled by a press. Mount Horeb freshman Nikki Arneson and junior Allison Gordon each had steals and layups during the surge. Arneson hit a jumper and junior Serena Pretti drilled a 3-pointer. Monroe (6-17) went through a scoring drought that lasted more than 7 minutes. Monroe senior Kirsten Vetterli scored down low with about 55 seconds to go in the first to cut the Vikings' lead to 13-2.
"I just think we came out a little bit slower than we should have," Barrett said. "We were making passes that normally get there. They just didn't get there tonight."
The Cheesemakers shot 19 percent (4 of 21) in the first half and trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half. The Cheesemakers committed 18 turnovers and shot 22.5 percent for the game (9-for-40). Vetterli scored seven points and sophomore Brooke Adams added five points. The Cheesemakers struggled from the free throw line finishing 6 of 14.
"We really didn't slow down once we beat the press," Vetterli said. "We really didn't take our time to finish it. That is what really killed us."
Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said the Vikings didn't surprise them with the press.
"Part of it is with the tournament atmosphere it's a different type of game," Mathiason said. "We had some kids going through that pressure for the first time. They were able to hit some shots early. We talked about it had to start on the defensive end. We had to get some defensive stops and some conversions. We had too many missed free throws and opportunities inside. They just weren't able to go."
The Vikings went on a 10-3 run at the start of the third quarter. Mount Horeb freshman Gabby Coulthard came up with a steal and layup to give the Vikings a 30-13 lead about midway through the period. Gordon had a steal and layup late in the third to extend the Vikings' lead to 34-13.
The Cheesemakers made a run in the fourth quarter to slice the Vikings' lead to 10 points. Adams scored on a layup with 6:40 left in the fourth to cut the Vikings' lead to 34-23 with 6:40 left. Monroe senior Kayla Updike then scored on a putback with 6:01 left to trim the Vikings' lead to 34-24. The Cheesemakers had a golden scoring opportunity to cut the Vikings' lead to seven points. Adams drove to the basket and threw a bounce pass to junior MacKenzie Hesgard who just missed a 3-pointer that could have cut the Vikings' lead to single digits.
"I think we fought really hard when we got down," Barrett said. "We were just too deep into the hole. I'm proud of the way we fought back."
Mathiason cited the shot by Hesgard as a prime example of letting the offense come to them.
"We ran good offense and executed well," Mathiason said. "We got a good shot. We just weren't able to convert."
Mathiason paid tribute to the four senior starters for how they overcame adversity and went from two wins last year to six this season.
"They always kept working hard and gave a great effort," he said. "We are appreciative for all they have given, their time and effort."
There were no words that could take away from her career after a 42-26 loss to Mount Horeb in a WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinal.
Barrett scored four points and had seven rebounds in her final game for Monroe.
"With our record, for most people it wouldn't have been a successful season," Barrett said. "It was a great experience. I would just like to thank my teammates for bringing me on this ride."
It was a bumpy ride early on for the Cheesemakers. Mount Horeb (15-8) raced out with a 13-0 run in the first quarter fueled by a press. Mount Horeb freshman Nikki Arneson and junior Allison Gordon each had steals and layups during the surge. Arneson hit a jumper and junior Serena Pretti drilled a 3-pointer. Monroe (6-17) went through a scoring drought that lasted more than 7 minutes. Monroe senior Kirsten Vetterli scored down low with about 55 seconds to go in the first to cut the Vikings' lead to 13-2.
"I just think we came out a little bit slower than we should have," Barrett said. "We were making passes that normally get there. They just didn't get there tonight."
The Cheesemakers shot 19 percent (4 of 21) in the first half and trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half. The Cheesemakers committed 18 turnovers and shot 22.5 percent for the game (9-for-40). Vetterli scored seven points and sophomore Brooke Adams added five points. The Cheesemakers struggled from the free throw line finishing 6 of 14.
"We really didn't slow down once we beat the press," Vetterli said. "We really didn't take our time to finish it. That is what really killed us."
Monroe coach Sam Mathiason said the Vikings didn't surprise them with the press.
"Part of it is with the tournament atmosphere it's a different type of game," Mathiason said. "We had some kids going through that pressure for the first time. They were able to hit some shots early. We talked about it had to start on the defensive end. We had to get some defensive stops and some conversions. We had too many missed free throws and opportunities inside. They just weren't able to go."
The Vikings went on a 10-3 run at the start of the third quarter. Mount Horeb freshman Gabby Coulthard came up with a steal and layup to give the Vikings a 30-13 lead about midway through the period. Gordon had a steal and layup late in the third to extend the Vikings' lead to 34-13.
The Cheesemakers made a run in the fourth quarter to slice the Vikings' lead to 10 points. Adams scored on a layup with 6:40 left in the fourth to cut the Vikings' lead to 34-23 with 6:40 left. Monroe senior Kayla Updike then scored on a putback with 6:01 left to trim the Vikings' lead to 34-24. The Cheesemakers had a golden scoring opportunity to cut the Vikings' lead to seven points. Adams drove to the basket and threw a bounce pass to junior MacKenzie Hesgard who just missed a 3-pointer that could have cut the Vikings' lead to single digits.
"I think we fought really hard when we got down," Barrett said. "We were just too deep into the hole. I'm proud of the way we fought back."
Mathiason cited the shot by Hesgard as a prime example of letting the offense come to them.
"We ran good offense and executed well," Mathiason said. "We got a good shot. We just weren't able to convert."
Mathiason paid tribute to the four senior starters for how they overcame adversity and went from two wins last year to six this season.
"They always kept working hard and gave a great effort," he said. "We are appreciative for all they have given, their time and effort."