Favorites and contenders for WBCA Ms. Basketball

The Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association has presented the prestigious Ms. Basketball Award since 1982, honoring the most outstanding senior girls basketball player in the state of Wisconsin. For more more information on the award and past winners, please click here. The WBCA will announce a list of finalists in the first week of February.

As we move past the midway point of the season, it is time to look at some of the favorites and contenders for the WBCA’s Ms. Basketball award. It takes the right combination of name recognition, statistical success, and team success to win the award, with college potential and commitment sometimes playing a part in how players are viewed as well. Generally, the player must be from a very successful team that has a chance to compete for a state title.

This is an interesting year with a strong senior group that features six or seven players who can make a strong case to win the award as a favorite.

These are our opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or selections of the WBCA.

(Alphabetical order)

Kyle Butler, Argyle/Pecatonica - Butler is just 56 points away from 2,000 for her career, as the senior Milwaukee commit has been a big part of the turnaround of the Argyle/Pecatonica co-op that was formed just a few years ago. A First Team All-State as a sophomore and Honorable Mention choice as a junior, she’s helped the team to a 14-1 record and spot atop the Six Rivers-East standings so far this season. She is averaging 22.1 points, 4.8 assists, 4.4 steals, and 3.9 rebounds per game while playing for head coach Jen Wellnitz.

Samantha Davis, Aquinas - Davis is already a three-time, First Team All-Selection by the WBCA as she leads the defending Mississippi Valley Conference champion Blugolds. Aquinas is 13-2 so far and ranked sixth in the latest Bound Wisconsin/Zaleski Sports Division 3 Media Poll. The talented 6’0” senior Bradley recruit leads the team with 23 points per game, averaging 9.5 rebounds, 3.4 steals, and 2.5 assists per game as well. She is looking to join older brother Johnny Davis, who was the Mr. Basketball in 2020.

Ady Ketterhagen, Oostburg - The Flying Dutch are looking like an absolute force this year, with wins over some of the top teams in the state, including larger programs. Ketterhagen joins sisters Kinsley and Riley as standouts for father and head coach Isaiah Ketterhagen. She will undoubtedly be a three-time All-State selection from the WBCA. Ady averages 20.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 steals, and 2.5 assists per game for the defending Division 3 state champions.

Natalie Kussow, Arrowhead - Kussow has everything you want in a player, and candidate for Ms. Basketball. She was a key part of Arrowhead’s Division 1 state title in 2024 as a sophomore when she earned WBCA All-State recognition. She was a repeat All-State choice on last year’s state qualifier as well. The Minnesota recruit is having a huge senior season, averaging 27.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.3 steals, and 3.2 assists per game. She went over 2,000 career points earlier in the season as the Warhawks are unbeaten and ranked number one in Division 1.

Mikaia Litza, Wauwatosa East - Litza stole the show at the state tournament last year, helping Wauwatosa East to the Division 2 crown. In the title game, she recorded 32 points with nine rebounds and five steals. She’s on her way to a third consecutive WBCA All-State nod, as Tosa East is one of the most impressive teams in the state, sitting unbeaten and ranked second in Division 1. A strong leader on and off the court, the DePaul commit leads the Red Raiders at 18.7 points per game, adding 6.6 assists, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game.

Leah Nordin, Shawano - Nordin is one of the most dominant individual players in the state, averaging 27.3 points, 12.4 rebounds, 4.1 steals, and 2.5 assists per game for the Hawks. She went over 2,000 career points earlier in the season, a significant accomplishment for the University of Wisconsin recruit. Her candidacy for Ms. Basketball could be hurt by Shawano’s record, which currently sits at 8-6, as they’re well back in the Bay Conference standings. She is a two-time WBCA All-State choice already.

Adaline Sheplee, Rice Lake - Sheplee became the all-time leading scorer at Rice Lake back in December, passing older sister Breanna, as she’s now up over 1,700 in her career. Sheplee helped the Warriors to the state tournament for the first time in school history last season as a WBCA All-State selection. The University of Wisconsin commit is averaging 27.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.4 steals per game this season.