Monroe over Madison Edgewood

I apologize for not posting in a few days and it has been four days since I've seen this game but, I have been busy with other things and the holiday. I will due my best to recall the game but, like I said it has been a few days since I saw this game.

This was a match up of two of the top teams in division two as well as two of the top teams in the Badger South Conference. They biggest thing to take note of is that this was a match up of two of the top coaches in the state in Coach Zwettler of Edgewood and Coach Murphy of Monroe. I have long admired Coach Zwettler's teams. Every year I count them out and think that they will have a down year but, every year I am proved wrong. Year in and year out Edgewood makes a deep run in the playoffs and always seem to be towards the top of their conference, there is no doubt in my mind that Zwettler gets the more out of his players then any other coach in the state. All the comments I just made you can basically switch the name Zwettler with Murphy and be just as accurate. Monroe is nearly always an automatic team at state and are always undersized yet they are able to take down much bigger teams. In recent years Murphy has always had a Tordoff leading his team so it will be interesting to see what will happen in the coming years. When you have someone that can light it up from the outside every game they can really carry the team at times.

The game started off a little slow with both teams feeling each other out. There was a lot of shots missed but, their were lots of offensive rebounds which cause long offensive possessions. At the end of the first quarter Edgewood was up 10-8. In the second quarter 6'0 senior Bryan Tordoff got things going from the outside and scored eight straight points to lead Monroe to a 24-19 halftime lead. In the second half Edgewood really started to get things going and were able to cut the lead to 39-37 after three. Like always it was a team effort for Edgewood but, 6'2 junior Spencer Brink stood out as he was able to move with out the ball and find an opening in the Monroe defense. On the other side Monroe struggled shooting the ball as a whole but, they consistently were able to get second and third opportunities. The one Monroe player that was scoring was 6'2 senior Michael Barrett who was able to get open from about 10 feet from the hoop and knock down the jumpers. Barrett score 12 points in the second half to lead Monroe.

The fourth quarter was when things really got interesting. Edgewood continued their hot shooting, while Monroe continued their strong rebounding. Three point shooting was big for Edgewood as 6'2 senior Brock Pavlik hit a pair of threes and 6'5 junior Austin Arians hit a huge three from the corner to tie the game up. Neither team could get a shot to fall and the game went to overtime. In overtime both teams played good defense and both teams seemed content to take their time running their offense. Edgewood struck first as 6'3 junior Chris Wells hit a deep outside shot which I believed to be a three but, his foot was on the line and ruled a two. Monroe got the ball back and missed their shot but, like most of the game they got an offensive rebound, this time by 6'7 senior Andrew Armstrong who got the put back to tie the game. Edgewood would not score on their next possession and Monroe came down with the ball in Tordoff's hands who was able to draw the blocking foul. Tordoff went to the line on a one and one ended up missing the first shot giving Edgewood less then two seconds to hit the winning shot, which they missed, sending the game into a second overtime. In overtime their were only three possessions. Edgewood one the tip and then turned the ball over. Monroe got the ball back and decided to go for one shot with three minutes left in the game. I know this is boring basketball but, a good coach moving in that as long as you don't turn the ball over early you know your at least going to another OT or possibly getting the win. I believe it was Barrett who ended up with the final shot, I could be wrong, either way the shot was missing and tipped around and Barrett ended up with the ball and put it back for the winning basket. Arians and Edgewood heaved up a half court shot they came up just short. Monroe got the 54-52 win.

Top Players
Bryan Tordoff 6'0 senior Monroe- At only listed at 6 foot he is listed as a guard but, early on you understand why. He is probably Monroe's best rebound and probably averages five plus rebounds a game. When he gets hot he is really fun to watch and he got hot in the second quarter and was nearly impossible to stop.
Michael Barrett 6'3 senior Monroe- Had a very slow first half but, really got things going in the second. Can get his shot at anytime, handles the ball well, and never gives up on a play tell its over.
Brock Pavlik 6'2 senior Edgewood- Just a sharpshooter that hits the big shots. If he is left open from the outside the shot is going to go in. Also the ultimate competitor.

Box Score
Monroe 54- Tordoff 16 Barrett 16 Damian Penniston 7 Armstrong 6 Michael Turek 5 Alex Barenklau 2 Austin Burandt 2 Evan Brady 0 Tyler Barta 0
Edgewood 52- Pavlik 15 Arians 12 Brink 8 Jack Zwettler 6 Bruin Armwald 6 Chris Wells 5 Hans Meixelsperger 0 Matt Schemmel 0

This was a game that really showed the strong coaching coming through. Both teams used a team effort and played extremely hard. Monroe is still undefeated and will probably have a bump or two along the way but, in the end they will be there towards the top of D2. Edgewood took their third lose of the young season but, despite that fact they will no doubt challenge Monroe for the conference title just like years past and don't be surprised to see Edgewood making a deep run come playoff time.