January in Wisconsin means one thing for high school hoops: the "grind" has officially arrived. We’re past the holiday tournaments and deep into conference play where rivals start picking each other apart. If you’ve been tracking the Wisconsin girls basketball rankings lately, you know the top of the leaderboard is basically a game of musical chairs. One bad shooting night in the Fox Valley Association or a tough road trip in the Big Eight, and suddenly your favorite squad is sliding down the WBCA Coaches Poll.
Right now, the target is firmly on the back of the Arrowhead Warhawks. They’ve been absolute juggernauts. Sitting at a perfect 12-0 as of mid-January, they aren't just winning; they’re dismantling teams. Natalie Kussow is playing like someone who has a point to prove every single night, and it shows in the Division 1 standings. But don’t get too comfortable with the order. Wauwatosa East is breathing down their necks with a 13-0 record of their own.
The Power Struggle in Division 1
It’s wild how much depth we’re seeing this year. Usually, there’s a clear "big three," but 2026 feels different. Arrowhead and Wauwatosa East are the obvious headliners, but look at Pewaukee. Despite a narrow loss earlier in the season, the Pirates are rolling. They just took down Pius XI and Hortonville in a span of a few days, proving they can play with anyone.
The latest Wisconsin girls basketball rankings reflect this chaos.
- Arrowhead (12-0): They have the size and the shooting. Kussow is a bucket-getter, but their defensive rotations are what really keep them at #1.
- Wauwatosa East (13-0): Mikaia Litza is having a monster year. They’re playing fast, they’re playing mean, and that 13-game win streak is the real deal.
- Pewaukee (11-1): Amy Terrian is a wizard with the ball. They’re technically a Division 1 threat now, and their schedule has been brutal, which only makes them tougher.
- Appleton East (12-1): The Patriots are the kings of the North right now. They just handled a very good Laconia team and seem to get better every week.
- Waunakee (11-1): Often overlooked in the Madison area compared to the big D1 schools, but their win over Beaver Dam proved they belong in the top five conversation.
Honestly, the gap between #1 and #10—currently held by teams like Stevens Point and De Pere—is thinner than people think. One injury or a cold streak from three-point land changes everything.
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Small Town Giants: Division 3 and 4
If you want to see pure, unadulterated basketball, you have to look at the smaller divisions. Oostburg is doing things in Division 3 that don't even seem real. They are 14-0. They’re beating teams by 40 and 50 points. Ady Ketterhagen is essentially a walking triple-double threat.
In Division 4, St. Mary Catholic is the team to beat. They’re 13-0 and playing with a level of chemistry that most college teams would envy. But keep an eye on Dominican. They had a little stumble early, but they’ve climbed back up to #2 in most polls because their talent ceiling is through the roof.
The Mid-Season Standouts
Individual talent is driving these Wisconsin girls basketball rankings just as much as coaching. We’re seeing some crazy stat lines this winter.
- Natalie Kussow (Arrowhead): She’s the engine. When she’s on, Arrowhead is unbeatable.
- Adaline Sheplee (Rice Lake): Probably the most versatile player in the state. She can guard 1 through 5 and scores at all three levels.
- Destiny Weaver (Messmer): Leading the state in scoring isn't easy, but she’s making it look like a casual Sunday run.
- Mikaia Litza (Wauwatosa East): The definition of a floor general. Her basketball IQ is off the charts.
It’s not just about the seniors, either. The sophomore class in Wisconsin right now is arguably the strongest we've seen in a decade. Kids like Josie Christian from Lomira are putting up 28 points a game as tenth graders. That’s insane.
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Why Rankings Are Kinda Unreliable (But We Love Them)
Let's be real: rankings are a snapshot. They don't account for the "flu" that hits a locker room in February or a star player getting into foul trouble in the first quarter of a regional final. The WBCA Coaches Poll is great because it’s voted on by people who actually see these teams play, but even they have biases.
The BoundComposite and MaxPreps systems use algorithms, which are great for "strength of schedule" but sometimes miss the "eye test." For example, a team like Notre Dame Academy might have three losses, but those losses are to national powerhouses. Does that make them worse than an undefeated team playing a weak conference schedule? Probably not. That’s why you’ll see Notre Dame sitting at #9 or #10 despite having "worse" records than teams below them.
Looking Ahead to the Resch Center
The road to Green Bay is getting shorter. We are only about eight weeks away from the state tournament at the Resch Center (March 12-14, 2026). If the Wisconsin girls basketball rankings hold steady, we are on a collision course for some legendary matchups. Imagine an Arrowhead vs. Wauwatosa East final in D1, or Oostburg trying to complete a perfect season in D3.
The pressure is mounting. Teams like Kettle Moraine Lutheran and Whitefish Bay are starting to peak at the right time. In Wisconsin, basketball isn't just a winter sport; it's a culture. Whether you're in a tiny gym in Eleva-Strum or a massive arena in Hartland, the energy is the same.
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How to Track the Movement
If you're trying to keep up with the latest shifts, don't just look at one source. The WBCA (Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association) releases their polls every Monday or Tuesday. MaxPreps updates their computer rankings almost daily based on scores reported.
- Watch the "Games of the Week": When #1 plays #3, the rankings are guaranteed to flip.
- Check the Scoreboard: Small upsets in conference play often signal a team is tired or "figured out."
- Follow the Recruits: Players committed to big D1 programs (like Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Marquette) usually carry their teams deeper into the playoffs.
The most important thing to remember is that a ranking in January doesn't get you a trophy in March. It’s all about who is healthy and who is clicking when the regional brackets are released.
Keep an eye on the bracket reveals in early February. That’s when the "paper rankings" meet the "reality of the draw." Sometimes the best team in the state gets stuck in a "Sectional of Death," and they don't even make it to the state semi-finals. That's the beauty of the WIAA tournament.
For fans following the Wisconsin girls basketball rankings, the next three weeks are critical. Conference titles will be decided, and the hierarchy of the state’s elite will finally solidify. Stay tuned to the local box scores, because the next big upset is usually just one Tuesday night away.
Check the WIAA website for the most recent divisional breakdowns and the official tournament schedule as we approach the post-season. Look for the latest WBCA poll every Tuesday morning to see how the coaches are voting after the weekend's biggest games.