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Monroe the favorite in Badger South

It doesn’t take an astute handicapper to peg Monroe High School as the favorite to win the Badger South championship in girls basketball.

You can start with the fact coach Kevin Keen has four returning starters from a team that went 22-5 and won the WIAA Division 2 state title last season.

The Cheesemakers have starting lineup that features 6-foot-1 Jamie Armstrong, 6-foot Ashley Hermanson and 5-10 guard Gwen Sutter. Monroe also has two other letter winners at guard.

“They’re a machine,” said Milton coach Scott Randall, whose team fell to the Cheesemakers, 68-52, in the conference opener. “They went high-low on us, and we had a 5-6 girl looking at a 6-1 girl. Then we adjusted and they just lobbed it down low.”

And as good as the Cheesemakers are now, they might be even better next year. The roster includes only three seniors, including only one—guard Emily Rufenacht—who starts.

Keen says the Cheesemakers are still motivated, even though they won a state title with a young team.

“They realize what it took to win a state championship,” Keen said. “It’s not any one person but a team effort. They understand how tough it was last year.

“You can’t look past anyone.”

The Cheesemakers’ stongest competition in the conference is expected to come from Oregon and Madison Edgewood.

Monroe’s strength is in the front line. Armstrong earned first-team All-Badger South honors for the second straight season last year when she averaged 12.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and three blocks a game. She shot 54.1 percent from the field and 80.6 from the line.

She also earned a spot on the Associated Press all-state tournament team.

Hermanson also made all-tournament team last year. She also was a first-team All-Badger South selection and averaged 11.6 points and seven rebounds while shooting 60.6 percent from the field.

Other returning starters are Sutter and senior Emily Rufenacht. The starting lineup is rounded out with 5-8 sophomore Kyleigh Sellnow, who was the first person off the bench last season.

The only setback the Cheesemakers have encountered is the loss of junior forward Morgan Kennison, who is recovering from knee surgery. But Kennison should be back by early January, Keen said.

Having a young team with plenty of depth and talent has Monroe fans prepared for another trip to Madison.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Keen said. “There are a lot of high expectations. I asked the girls if they feel the pressure and they said, ‘yes, but it’s a good kind of pressure.’ ”

Which is completely different from the pressure their opponents feel.

Fort Atkinson

Head coach: Jim Nyman, second year (6-15)

2007-2008 record: 6-15, 3-9 in Southern Lakes (fifth place).

Key losses: Morgan Wendlandt, All-Southern Lakes second team; Hannah Bare, honorable mention.

Returning starter: Ralissa Nelson, 5-11, sr., f.

Other letter winners: Jessie Truman, 5-8, sr., f; Emily Linz, 5-7, sr., f; Amanda Brus, 5-4, sr., g; Niki Boos, 5-8, jr., f; Ashley Boos, 5-7, jr., f; Courtney Lanza, 5-6, jr., g; Lauren Heyer, 5-10, sr., c.

Other likely contributors: Cassidy Lyons, 5-7, jr., g; Lexie Wiegand, 5-6, fr., g.

Season outlook:Senior forward Ralissa Nelson, who received All-Southern Lakes honorable mention last season after transferring from Orfordville Parkview.

“She gives us so many things,” said Nyman of Nelsonw, who scored 22 points Saturday in a 60-41 win over Milton. “Not only scoring, but she sees the court so well. We have to get the ball in her hands as much as possible.”

Milton

Head coach: Scott Randall, third year (31-15).

2007-2008 record: 14-7, 8-4 in Southern Lakes (third place).

Key losses: Tasha Randall, All-Southern Lakes first team; Katie Groeschl, honorable mention; Emily Arnold, April Mielke.

Returning starter: Liz Eide, 6-2, soph., center (out with injury).

Other letter winners: Katie Severson, 5-2, sr., g; Amber Davis, 5-6, jr., fwd.; Jessica Roach, 5-10, sr., c; Kelsey Shadel, 5-7, sr., fwd.; Ashley Roherty, 5-4, soph., g; Nicole Negus, 5-6, soph., g.

Other likely contributor: Val Arnold, 5-6, jr., fwd.

Season outlook: Coach Randall has started the season with a depleted squad. Not only did four of last year’s starters graduate, but two of his top returners have been out with injuries. Liz Eide, who averaged 11 points as a freshman and received All-Southern Lakes honorable mention, underwent knee surgery in August. She might return for the second half of the season. Negus is just returning from knee surgery that she underwent last spring. Randall is hoping both will make contributions before the season ends.

“It’s been a hodge-podge season,” Randall said. “It might be a ‘tale of two seasons’ for us.”

Monroe

Head coach: Kevin Keen, 22nd year (350-122).

2007-2008 record: 22-5 (Division 2 state champion); 11-1 in Badger South (champion).

Key losses: Calyn Bidlingmaier.

Returning starters: Jamie Armstrong, 6-1, jr., f; Ashley Hermanson, 6-0, jr., f; Gwen Sutter, 5-10, jr., g; Emily Ruffenacht, 5-6, sr. g.

Other letter winners: Marissa Ubert, 5-6, sr., g; Morgan Kennison, 5-9, jr., f (injured); Kyleigh Sellnow, 5-8, soph., g; Sommer Bertalot, 5-8, sr., f.

Season outlook: The Cheesemakers have the height and experience to win another Division 2 state title. Winning the Badger South shouldn’t be a challenge. They’re 4-0 this season, 3-0 in the Badger South and favored to win their 13th conference championship under Keen.