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Here are the Journal Sentinel's 2023-24 all-area girls basketball teams

Michael Whitlow, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·9 min read
Natalie Kussow, left, helped lead Arrowhead to a 27-3 record and its first state title in over three decades.
Natalie Kussow, left, helped lead Arrowhead to a 27-3 record and its first state title in over three decades.

For the first time since the WIAA moved to five divisions in 2011, the greater Milwaukee area sent seven programs to state.

Nine players from those seven programs, including all five first-team members, are represented on this year's Journal Sentinel all-area rosters. The area was loaded with talent again this season and provides a good look-ahead to some potential Ms. Basketball finalists next season.

Before we dive into the all-area rosters, here's a seasonal recap:

  • Three of the four teams at the Division 1 state tournament were from the Milwaukee area for the second straight postseason. Top-seeded Arrowhead, the Classic 8 Conference champion, rolled through No. 4 Franklin and then No. 3 Neenah to win its first state title since 1991.

  • Pewaukee, the four-time defending Woodland West champion, qualified for the Division 2 state tournament for the fourth time in the last five seasons. A third straight state title game appearance saw the Pirates take down three-time defending champion Notre Dame Academy, 60-52, to win Pewaukee's first gold ball.

  • Kettle Moraine Lutheran made its first state appearance in Division 3 for the first time since 2015, while The Prairie School won its third straight Metro Classic Conference title and qualified for the Division 4 state tournament for the first time in over a decade.

  • Area conference champions included: Arrowhead (Classic 8), Kettle Moraine Lutheran (East Central, shared with Waupun), Brookfield East (Greater Metro), Salam (Lake City), The Prairie School (Metro Classic), Living Word Lutheran (Midwest Classic), Milwaukee Juneau (Milwaukee City - Blue), Milwaukee King and Milwaukee School of Languages (Milwaukee City - Gold), Hartford and Homestead (North Shore), Franklin (Southeast), Union Grove (Southern Lakes), Whitnall (Woodland East) and Pewaukee (Woodland West).

Pewaukee's Amy Terrian, left, and Giselle Janowski celebrate their victory over Notre Dame Academy in the WIAA Division 2 girls state championship game on March 9 at the Resch Center in Green Bay. Pewaukee captured its first state title with the victory.
Pewaukee's Amy Terrian, left, and Giselle Janowski celebrate their victory over Notre Dame Academy in the WIAA Division 2 girls state championship game on March 9 at the Resch Center in Green Bay. Pewaukee captured its first state title with the victory.

First Team

Makena Christian, 6-0, jr., Hartford

Christian was named the North Shore Conference’s player of the year for the second straight season after sharing the award with Homestead’s Madison Fitzgibbon as a sophomore last year. Behind Christian’s dominant play, Hartford qualified for the Division 1 state tournament for the first time since 2000. The Minnesota recruit averaged 25.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals last season. She’ll be one of the favorites for the Ms. Basketball honor next season after being named to the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association’s all-state roster in D1.

Jasonya “JJ” Glass-Barnes, 5-8, jr., The Prairie School

The Prairie School qualified for its first state tournament in 11 seasons this year on the back of great guard play from Reese Jaramillo and Meg Decker, but it was Jasonya Glass-Barnes’ return that helped the team reach its ceiling. After missing six games this season due to injury, the NCAA Division-I prospect came back with a bang. She averaged 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.9 steals for the Hawks. She was named the Metro Classic Conference’s player of the year and was named to the WBCA’s Division 4 all-state roster.

Natalie Kussow, 5-11, so., Arrowhead

Kussow solidified herself as one of the best players in the state this past season, leading Arrowhead to a 27-3 record and its first state title in over three decades against Neenah. The super sophomore scored the third-most points in Division 1 state tournament history (59) and was named to the WBCA’s all-state roster in D1. She averaged 23.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.9 steals while shooting 40 percent from long range this season on 205 total attempts.

Makenzie Luehring, 5-5, jr., Kettle Moraine Lutheran

There’s not much Luehring doesn’t do on a basketball court. She eclipsed the 1,000-point mark this season, including 32 in a Division 3 state semifinal loss to Xavier, and she helped lead the Chargers to their first state berth since 2015. Luehring was named to the WBCA all-state roster in D3 after averaging 18.4 points, five rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.

Amy Terrian, 5-9, jr., Pewaukee

The vocal leader of the reigning Division 2 state champions came within an eyelash of a triple-double during the Pirates’ semifinal win over West Salem. Along with twin-sister Anna, Amy was one of the state’s best players again this season. Amy averaged 18.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.3 steals in Pewaukee’s near-perfect season and was named to the WBCA’s Division 2 all-state roster. Like most years, there will be a dead heat for the Ms. Basketball honor in the 2024-25 season, and even with the Pirates going up to Division 1 next season, Amy Terrian will likely be right in the thick of the discussion for the award.

Second Team

Ameerah Grant, 5-4, jr., Brown Deer

Grant was one of the most electric scorers again in the Milwaukee area last season. The Division-I prospect averaged 29 points, 7.2 assists and 5.1 steals per contest. Her season included 13 30-point games and a season-high 41 points against Milwaukee School of Languages to help land on the WBCA Division 3 all-state team. She’ll be on the chase for the school scoring record set by former Brown Deer great Steve Novak next season and also in the hunt for a Ms. Basketball finalist spot.

Jordan Fenske, 5-10, sr., Waukesha West

The Wolverines were hit hard with graduation from last year’s sectional semifinal bunch, but the Illinois State recruit excelled in coach Mark Busalacchi’s final campaign at the helm. Fenske averaged 18.9 points and shot 40.1 percent from deep on 182 total attempts this season, leading to a spot on the WBCA’s Division 2 all-state roster. She eclipsed the 20-point mark eight times during the regular season, including a 31-point performance against Waukesha North/South with five triples.

Giselle Janowski, 5-8, so., Pewaukee

The Pirates did what few thought could be done by dethroning Notre Dame Academy in Division 2. The three-headed monster of Amy Terrian, Anna Terrian and Giselle Janowski dominated this past season, leading Pewaukee to a 29-1 mark and the program’s first gold ball in state history. Janowski was on fire down the stretch of the season, scoring 20-plus points in six of Pewaukee’s final seven games. She averaged 15 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists this season while being named to the WBCA’s Division 2 all-state roster.

Shae Kelley, 5-10, sr., Brookfield East

The Spartans came within one victory of their third state Division 1 state tournament appearance thanks to the stellar two-way play of the Greater Metro Conference’s player of the year this season. Kelley averaged 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.9 steals and 5.5 assists this past season. She passed 1,400 career points in her final season and was named to the WBCA Division 1 all-state roster for the second straight season.

Wauwatosa East sophomore guard Mikaia Litza helped the Red Raiders make their first state appearance in over four decades.
Wauwatosa East sophomore guard Mikaia Litza helped the Red Raiders make their first state appearance in over four decades.

Mikaia Litza, 5-7, so., Wauwatosa East

One of the pleasant surprises from the Milwaukee area this past season was the rise of Wauwatosa East back into the girls basketball spotlight. The Red Raiders came into this season as a young, but promising bunch and finished the year as one of the final four in Division 2. Sophomore guard Mikaia Litza was a big reason the Red Raiders made their first state appearance in over four decades. Litza averaged 16.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.4 steals. She was also named to the all-Greater Metro Conference first team and to the WBCA’s all-state roster in D2.

Third Team

Madison Fitzgibbon, 5-7, jr., Homestead

One of the many Division-I prospects on these rosters is Fitzgibbon, an honorable mention list member on the all-area rosters a season ago. The Highlanders shared the North Shore Conference title with state qualifier Hartford this past season to continue its title streak with Fitzgibbon helping lead the charge. She averaged 17.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists on her way to being named to the WBCA’s D1 all-state roster.

Keona McGee, 5-8, sr., Dominican

One of the household names from the last few seasons is the senior McGee, who was also named to the WBCA’s Division 3 all-state roster. McGee averaged 15.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 3.2 steals during her senior season. She was also named to the all-Metro Classic Conference first team as Dominican’s lone representative on the MCC's first team.

Franklin's Natalie Meaux, left, dislocated her ankle in the fall but found a way to make it back to the court. She made her season debut Jan. 18 and then helped the Sabers reach the Division 1 state semifinals.
Franklin's Natalie Meaux, left, dislocated her ankle in the fall but found a way to make it back to the court. She made her season debut Jan. 18 and then helped the Sabers reach the Division 1 state semifinals.

Natalie Meaux, 5-7, sr., Franklin

Meaux’s senior season almost didn’t happen at all. The senior point guard dislocated her ankle in the fall and there was little hope she would be able to return for the Sabers. She found a way to make it back and made her season debut on Jan. 18. The Sabers lost just one game between then and the Division 1 state semifinals. Her impact changed the trajectory of the season in the final 14 games where she averaged 16.4 points, including 15 in their comeback win over Muskego to make it to state. She was named to the WBCA’s all-state honorable mention list in D1.

Anna Terrian, 5-9, jr., Pewaukee

The third member of Pewaukee’s trio joins the third team to round things out for the Pirates. Terrian’s offensive output doesn’t tell her whole story. As great as the Pewaukee free-flowing offense is, its defense comes from Terrian willingly laying her body on the line guarding all five positions at times. The Michigan State recruit was named to the WBCA Division 2 all-state honorable mention list after averaging 9.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals this season, while helping the Pirates hold teams under 60 points in 27 of their 30 games against one of the state’s most rugged schedules.

Jenna Welsch, 5-10, jr., Catholic Memorial

Catholic Memorial came within one win of the Division 3 state tournament in large part to the stellar play of its star forward Jenna Welsch. She was an all-state selection by the WBCA in Division 3 after averaging 17 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.5 assists per game. Behind Welsch’s play, the Crusaders set a program record for wins (24) and finished just behind Arrowhead in the Classic 8 title race. Welsch scored 20-plus points on 11 occasions this season with 12 double-doubles.

Honorable mention

Sarah Aleknavicius, sr., Grafton; Lauren Capstran, sr., Franklin; Emma Close, so., Wauwatosa East; Rowan Counsell, fr., Whitefish Bay; Libby Gilmore, so., Arrowhead; Samantha Hafferkamp, jr., Union Grove; Taccari Hicks, so., Racine Case; Reese Jaramillo, sr., The Prairie School; Maya Kovacic, so., Brookfield East; Madeline Leffel, jr., Kettle Moraine Lutheran; Lucy Leininger, sr., Germantown; Kyrin Lile, so., Elkhorn; Natalie Mueller, jr., Homestead; Presley Samz, so., Arrowhead; Ally Timm, sr., DSHA; Tess Wiczek, jr., Pius XI.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Journal Sentinel's all-area girls basketball teams for 2023-24 season