The 50th WIAA Girls Basketball State Tournament closed in style, with Arrowhead outlasting Wauwatosa East in a double overtime thriller to claim the Division 1 title, 80-74.
A rematch of a January game won by Wauwatosa East 76-66 in overtime, this was a true battle of titans. The lead changed 13 times and the game was tied on seven different occasions. High-level play was on display, but Arrowhead had the trump card in the form of Ms. Basketball selection Natalie Kussow.
Wauwatosa East jumped out to a 17-5 lead early in the contest, but Arrowhead battled back, even taking a brief lead with 3:20 remaining when Sami Wall knocked in a three-pointer. A strong finish by Wauwatosa East put the Red Raiders up 33-30 at halftime.
It was again Wauwatosa East that jumped out early in the second half, going up eight points on an Emma Close three-pointer at the 13:45 mark, but Kussow helped the Warhawks battle back. She scored inside to tie the game with 7:21 remaining, then hit a three-pointer a short time later to put Arrowhead on top.
The game remained tight into the final minute, but Arrowhead seemed to be in a good spot when Presly Samz knocked down a pair of free throws for a 62-58 lead with just 28 seconds remaining.
Wauwatosa East got three looks at things in the ensuing possession thanks to offensive rebounds, and Elli Deprey did the improbable, converting the rare four-point play with eight seconds remaining to tie the game after being fouled on a three-pointer.
Arrowhead would come down and get a good look, but Sidney Zehner’s shot rimmed out.
There wasn’t a lot of scoring in the final overtime, and the game was tied at 65 with Wauwatosa East holding for the last shot. A backdoor cut by Emma Close got her open under the basket with six seconds left, but she overlayed it and the game headed to a second overtime stanza.
Arrowhead showed its championship mettle, taking a 69-67 lead on a three-pointer from Kussow with 2:38 remaining, and the Warhawks would convert free throws and a pair of breakaways against the Red Raiders press to put the game out of reach.
Natalie Kussow finished her incredible career with performance for the ages, scoring 34 points with 10 rebounds and six assists. Sidney Zehner added 12 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Libby Gilmore had a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Wauwatosa East placed all five starters in double figures, but got no bench points in the game. Senior Mikaia Litza was an assist away from a triple-double, scoring 26 points with 10 rebounds and nine assists. Audrey Sellinger scored 15 before fouling out, while Ellie Deprey chipped in with 12 points and seven rebounds. Ellie Pudelko and Emma Close scored 11 points apiece.
Arrowhead finished the year 28-2, capturing its fourth WIAA state title, including the 2024 crown.
Wauwatosa East ends the year at 29-1 after moving up from Division 2, where they won the state title last year.
Travis Wilson serves as the Bound Wisconsin Manager. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisBound or reach him at [email protected].
