WBCA MS. BASKETBALL
NATALIE KUSSOW, ARROWHEAD

Story courtesy of Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association

(3-18-26) Natalie Kussow of Arrowhead has been named the 2026 Ms. Basketball award-winner by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), presented by Midwest Scholastic.

Kussow is an athletic lefty guard who scores at all three levels. She’s strong off the dribble and has deep range from the outside. Natalie is a high-IQ player who also impacts the game on defense and is also a very good rebounder.

Kussow said…

“Kind of in shock, it’s a big accomplishment and a bunch of other great players were in the running for the award. 

Natalie said she’s excited and honored to be named Ms. Basketball and be on a list of great players from the state, including Amy Terrian of Pewaukee and Allie Ziebell of Neenah, whom she mentioned as players she looked up to. 

Kussow also mentioned that her parents, coaches, and teammates all helped her to where she is today. 

Kussow is averaging 26.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 3.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game with 66 three-pointers made for coach Ron Reichle and the Warhawks, which enter Friday’s Division 1 state semifinal against Pewaukee with a 26-2 record. Natalie is shooting 49.4 percent from the floor and 85.8 percent from the free throw line. 

Coach Reichle explained the impact that Natalie has made on Arrowhead’s program. 

“She fit in right away, is humble, and team-focused. As a freshman, she connected immediately with then-senior Bella Samz, and that has continued with younger players. Natalie’s an ultra-competitive person who doesn’t show nerves, always answers, and is always ready to go.”  

Coach Reichle added that while it might not be noticeable, Natalie has a little extra fire inside when she needs it, especially when being heckled by fans. 

The 6-0 guard is fifth in girls basketball state history with 2,737 points. Kussow has also compiled 916 rebounds, 273 assists, 363 steals, and 99 blocks in her career. 

Natalie entered the year as a two-time first-team WBCA all-state selection. She earned honorable mention honors as a freshman. 

Kussow, who had a long list of scholarship offers, is signed to play at the University of Minnesota. 

She has led the Warhawks to a 101-13 record and three WIAA state tournament appearances, including winning the Division 1 state championship in 2024. 

Janowski, Sheplee,Ketterhagen and Litza

The other finalists for Ms. Basketball were Giselle Janowski of Pewaukee, Ady Ketterhagen of Oostburg, Mikaia Litza of Wauwatosa East, and Adaline Sheplee of Rice Lake. 

Related:

Past Ms. Basketball Wisconsin

Year Player — School –—

2026 Natalie Kussow -Arrowhead
2025 Amy Terrian -Pewaukee
2024 Allie Ziebell -Neenah
2023 Kamorea “KK” Arnold -Germantown
2022 Kamy Peppler -Hortonville
2021 Bailey Butler -Black Hawk
2020 Lexi Donarski -Aquinas
2019 McKenna Warnock -Monona Grove
2018 Hailey Oskey -Seymour
2017 Sidney Cooks -Kenosha St. Joseph
2017 Estella Moschkau -Edgewood
2016 Hannah Whitish -Barneveld
2015 Arike Ogunbowale -Divine Savior Holy Angels
2014 Gabrielle Ortiz -The Prairie School
2013 Samantha Terry -Baraboo
2012 Nicole Bauman -New Berlin Eisenhower
2011 Samantha Logic -Racine Case
2010 Nicole Griffin -Milwaukee Vincent
2009 Adrian Ritchie -De Pere
2008 Rachael Hencke -Grafton
2007 Lin Zastrow -Jefferson
2006 Ellie Radke -Monroe
2005 Erin Monfre -Waukesha South
2004 Jolene Anderson -South Shore
2003 Meredith Onson -Oshkosh West
2002 Mistie Bass -Janesville Parker
2001 Mistie Bass -Janesville Parker
2000 Mistie Bass -Janesville Parker
1999 Candas Smith -Madison West
1998 Kelly Auger -Pius XI Catholic
1997 LaTonya Sims -Racine Park
1996 Kelley Paulus -La Crosse Central
1995 Amy Wiersma -Randolph
1994 Anna DeForge -Niagara
1993 Katie Voigt -Lakeland
1992 Keisha Anderson -Racine Park
1991 Lori Goerlitz -Oshkosh North
1990 Dolly Rademaker -Thorp
1989 Melissa Smith -D.C. Everest
1988 Martha Richards -Hudson
1987 Sonja Henning Racine Horlick
1986 Julie Garske Amherst
1985 Heidi Bunek Pius XI Catholic
1984 Kelly Byrne Brookfield East
1983 Tammy McKay McFarland
1982 Jane Lobenstein Portage