Prep Chatter: Who will be Miss Basketball and AP player of the year in Wisconsin high school girls basketball? Here are some top contenders

We're past the midway point of the high school girls basketball season and Neenah's Allie Ziebell has put herself on the short list for not only the Miss Basketball award but also the Associated Press state player of the year honor.

Here's a look at the top contenders for both awards heading into the second half of the season. All are seniors.

Allie Ziebell, 6-0, Neenah

Was one of the top recruits in the nation and is a UConn commit. Averaging 29.1 points and shooting 53% from the field (116-of-220). Also converting 49% from beyond the 3-point arc (57-of-116) and is averaging 8.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Was a member of the 2023 U19 women's national team that won gold last summer and was recently named a member of the second USA Women's Nike Hoop Summit roster.

Sydney Cherney, 5-9, Reedsburg

Averaging 35.1 points, 18.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. Has scored more than 30 points in all 12 games this season, including a season-high 52 points in a 77-58 victory over Stoughton on Nov. 21. Led the state in scoring last season (31.6). Has committed to Grand Valley State.

Teagan Mallegni, 6-0, McFarland

Averaging 29.2 points on 146-of-279 shooting (52%) from the floor. Also averaging 10.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.4 blocks. A University of Iowa recruit. Led McFarland to the Division 2 state semifinals last year, falling to Notre Dame. McFarland is ranked No. 3 in D2.

Gracie Grzesk, 6-0, Green Bay Notre Dame

Wisconsin commit is averaging 17.1 points after averaging 17.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists last season. Has helped lead the Tritons to three consecutive WIAA Division 2 state titles and Notre Dame is ranked No. 2 this season.

Taylor Stremlow, 5-10, Verona

University of Iowa commit. Is averaging 18.9 points and 8.2 rebounds. Leads the state in assists (9.4). Also averages 5.7 steals. Verona is undefeated and ranked No. 1 in Division 1.

Kayl Petersen, 6-1, Waupun

Marquette commit is averaging 19.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.4 blocks. Helped lead Waupun to the Division 3 state tournament last season and helped the Warriors win the Division 3 title her sophomore season.

Rockets' Corso surpasses 1,000 points

Neenah's Brady Corso scored 32 points and surpassed 1,000 points for his career in the Rockets' 62-57 victory over Brookfield East on Saturday.

Corso, a 6-foot-1 senior guard, is averaging just over 20 points a game and is committed to play collegiately at St. Leo (Fla.).

Xavier boys basketball on Roundtable

The Xavier boys basketball team will be the featured team Wednesday on Varsity Roundtable. The Hawks are one of the top teams in Division 3 and are the current Bay Conference leaders.

The show can be seen on postcrescent.com, the Post-Crescent's Facebook page or on the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin YouTube channel. Showtime is 7 p.m.

Basketball livestream of the week: Neenah at Kimberly

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin's livestream of the week is a Fox Valley Association boys and girls basketball doubleheader Friday between Neenah and Kimberly.

The livestream begins at 5:45 p.m. from Kimberly and the games can be seen on postcrescent.com, the Post-Crescent's Facebook page and on YouTube on the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin channel.

Area basketball rankings

* Teams are ranked "pound-for-pound" based on success against similar enrollments:

GIRLS

1, Kimberly (12-2): Papermakers get big 76-47 victory over Kaukauna and are a half-game ahead of Hortonville and Neenah in Fox Valley Association title chase. Next: Friday vs. Neenah.

2, St. Mary Catholic (12-1): Zephyrs play three games in four days this week: At Hilbert on Monday, vs. Reedsville on Tuesday and at Manitowoc Lutheran on Thursday. Next: Tuesday vs. Reedsville.

3, Hortonville (9-3): Polar Bears' Rainey Welson one of the top juniors in the state and is averaging 23.8 points and 4.1 assists per game to lead the team in both categories. Next: Tuesday at Appleton West.

4, Neenah (11-2): Rockets averaging 9.3 made 3-pointers per game and have three players averaging double digits in scoring: Allie Ziebell (29.1), Rowan Klesmit (14.5) and Ellie Buss (10.9). Next: Tuesday vs. Beaver Dam.

5, Xavier (9-5): Hawks are coming off a 73-63 loss to Waupun. Carsyn Stempa (12.5) and Elle Krull (10.1) lead the team in scoring. Next: Tuesday vs. Seymour.

Also: Appleton East (8-4), New London (12-3), Menasha (9-4), Wrightstown (8-5), Freedom (8-5), Weyauwega-Fremont (7-5), Appleton North (7-6), Chilton (7-6).

BOYS

1, Appleton North (10-1): Lightning has two big games this week at Kaukauna on Tuesday and vs. Hortonville on Friday. Junior wing Abraham Tomori is second in scoring (13.8) and leads the team in rebounds (6.0). Next: Tuesday at Kaukauna.

2, Xavier (11-1): Hawks are undefeated in the Bay Conference (5-0). Starting senior point guard Sam Pfefferle leads the team in assists (6.2) and is also averaging 10.9 points. Next: Friday at Shawano.

3, Brillion (13-1): Lions rebound from first loss of season with 65-44 victory over Sheboygan Falls. Team hosts Kettle Moraine Lutheran on Tuesday and is at Roncalli on Friday. Next: Tuesday vs. Kettle Moraine Lutheran.

4, Kaukauna (8-3): Ghosts drop double-overtime thriller to Kimberly, 73-72, last Wednesday. Team hosts Appleton North on Tuesday before game at FVA leader Oshkosh North on Friday Next: Tuesday vs. Appleton North.

5, Fox Valley Lutheran (10-1): Foxes bounce back from first loss of season with 72-29 victory over Luxemburg-Casco. Adam Loberger (25.0) and Sam Ferge (19.9) lead the team in scoring. Next: Friday vs. Marinette.

Others: Kimberly (7-4), Clintonville (10-2), St. Mary Catholic (9-4), Freedom (8-3), New London (6-4), Waupaca (8-4), Hortonville (7-5), Little Chute (7-5).

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Neenah's Ziebell strong candidate for Miss Basketball in Wisconsin