Ziebell, Welson, Fayta, Grzesk, Bjorge and Brooks lead the way

GREEN BAY (WLUK) — This past girls basketball season featured a lot of talent on the hardwood, but none better than Neenah’s Allie Ziebell.

The UConn recruit led Neenah to the Division 1 state title game, while leading the area in scoring at 27.5 points per game, and leading the state with 122 made three-pointers.

No doubt she was the cream of the crop as Ziebell has been named the FOX 11 player of the year for the second year in a row.

Joining Ziebell on the first team are Hortonville’s Rainey Welson, Notre Dame’s Trista Fayta and Gracie Grzesk, De Pere’s Claire Bjorge and Lena’s Eva Brooks.

Welson, Fayta and Grzesk are repeat first-teamers. Actually, Grzesk is a three-peat first-teamer.

Here are the lists of all-area basketball teams:

GIRLS DOUGIES

FIRST TEAM

Allie Ziebell, Sr., Neenah: 27.5 ppg., 8.7 rpg., 3 apg., FT 168-192 (87.5), 3-PT 122-272 (44.9%; most 3s in the state girls and boys), FVA player of the year. Committed to UConn. Ziebell, who is ranked in the top five in her class in the nation, is the best player to ever come out of Northeast Wisconsin. There has never been a talent like this, and the last four seasons were truly awesome to watch Ziebell do her thing. Scored 2,819 career points, fourth all-time amongst girls players in state history.

Rainey Welson, Jr., Hortonville: 23.3 ppg., 4.1 rpg., 3-PT 84-198 (42.4%), FT 137-154 (89%). FVA first-team. Committed to Maryland. Welson is the top-ranked junior in the state and always seems to show up big in the biggest games. Welson has unlimited range and had six games of 30 or more points. Welson is already Hortonville’s all-time leading scorer with 1,624 career points.

Trista Fayta, Sr., Notre Dame: 17.9 ppg., 5 rpg., 7.2 apg., 4.4 spg. FRCC player of the year. Committed to Illinois State. No player in the state impacts the game as much as Fayta on offense and defense at the guard position. She presses full court and creates turnovers on a regular basis. Offensively, she pushes the ball down court at every option and has the ability to get easy baskets. Her energy level never drops. Fayta finished with 1,557 career points.

Gracie Grzesk, Sr., Notre Dame: 17 ppg., 6.9 rpg. Committed to Wisconsin. FRCC first team. Grzesk was very efficient, making 45 percent of her 3-point attempts (49-109) and shooting 54.4 percent overall from the field. Grzesk had one of the best inside-outside games in the area and was great finishing in traffic. Ended career as Notre Dame’s all-time leading scorer with 1,835 points.

Claire Bjorge, Sr., De Pere: 20.9 ppg., 4.8 rpg., 5 apg., 3-PT 68-172 (39.5%). Committed to Minnesota-Duluth. FRCC first team. After missing last season with a torn ACL, Bjorge returned and appeared better than ever. Bjorge was the FRCC’s leading scorer. Her outside shot never left her and she was also a terrific passer. In three healthy seasons, Bjorge finished her career with 1,271 points.

Eva Brooks, Jr., Lena: 19.8 ppg., 12.1 rpg., 3.3 bpg (102 blocks). M&O player of the year. The 6-1 do-everything player did it all for Lena, which made the D5 state title game. She was a defensive stopper inside and had the ability to lead the fast break and shoot threes.

SECOND TEAM

Kate McGinnis, Jr., Kimberly: 18.3 ppg., 5.1 rpg., 3-PT 73-200 (36.5%). FVA first team. Committed to Belmont. McGinnis took a big step in scoring averaging 8.3 ppg. more than as a sophomore, and she led the Papermakers to a second-place FVA finish.

Leah Nordin, soph., Shawano: 21.3 ppg., 8.4 rpg. Bay Conference first team. Scored in double figures in 26 of 27 games and scored as many as 40 points. Green Bay and Wisconsin among five DI programs who have offered the 6-1 Nordin.

Faith Walder, Jr., West De Pere: Bay Conference player of the year. 15.8 ppg., 3.7 apg. Cat-quick point guard who despite being 5-5 has the ability to finish at the rim as well as hit a three. Walder is also very good at setting up others for baskets.

Addison Pytleski, Sr., Green Bay Southwest: 16 ppg., 7.7 rpg. 3-PT 59-135 (43.7%). FRCC first team. Committed to Northern Michigan. Pytleski carried the Trojans this season to 17 wins. One of the more underrated players in the area, Pytleski was one of the area’s best shooters.

Tierney Madigan. Jr., Laconia: 14.2 ppg., 6.4 rpg. Flyway player of the year. The key player in Laconia’s back-to-back march to D4 state titles. Madigan shot 53 percent from the field and was deadly on drives to the basket. She always seemed to find a way to score.

Madi Thomson, Soph., Lena: 15.3 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 4.3 spg. M&O first team. The point guard on the D5 state runner-up, Thomson was lethal on defense. Her on-ball defense was so impressive, which led to easy baskets. Thomson also ran Lena’s high-paced offense, pushing the ball at every option.

THIRD TEAM

Hailee Bauer, Jr., Lourdes Academy: 18.4 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 3-PT 81-221 (36.7%). Trailways East player of the year. Bauer scored in double digits in 25 of 27 games. Bauer carried the Knights with her outside shooting, despite always being the focus of the opposing defense.

Rowan Klesmit, Soph., Neenah: 14.9 ppg., FT 91-110 (82.7%), 3-PT 45-137 (32.8%). Fearless, no matter the situation. Klesmit provided Neenah with a great No. 2 option behind Allie Ziebell. Scored in double figures in 28 of 30 games.

Torie Neubauer, Jr., Appleton East: 13.4 ppg., 7.5 rpg., 3-PT 44-124 (35.5%). FVA first team. Very good two-way player, who offensively was a threat inside and outside. Also, led the Patriots in rebounds.

Ellie McDermid, Sr., Bay Port: 15.5 ppg., 8.9 rpg. Committed to Bradley. FRCC first team. McDermid ended her career as Bay Port’s all-time leader in blocks with 171. Voted the best senior post in the state by the WBCA. Also, finished with 1,088 career points.

Mikayla Werner, Sr., Hortonville: 11.3 ppg., 9.1 rpg. Committed to St. Thomas. FVA first team. Top-notch defender who also was a threat on offense and once in a while would make a three. A feisty competitor.

Abby Cole, Sr., Winnebago Lutheran: 15.8 ppg., 15.5 rpg. (6th in state). Dominating player inside who was the only player in the area to average 15-15. Committed to Wisconsin Lutheran College.

HONORABLE MENTION

Naomi Rikkola, Jr., Sevastopol: 18.6 ppg., 6.9 rpg

Callista VandeBerg, Sr., Laconia: 10.4 ppg., 9 rpg. Flyway first team.

Aubrey Leonard, Jr., Laconia: 10.2 ppg., 4.1 apg., 3 spg. Flyway first team.

Payton Morgan, Jr., Laconia: 9.9 ppg., 3-PT 65-138 (34.6%). Flyway second team.

Finley Morgan, Fr., Laconia: 9.5 ppg., 3-PT 63-160 (39.4%). Flyway second team.

Eva Engel, Jr., Laconia: 8 ppg.

Molly Duel, Jr., Laconia: 6.5 ppg.

Ellie Buss, Soph., Neenah: 9.8 ppg., 3-PT 64-189 (33.9%)

Avery Werfal, Fr., Appleton North: 15.3 ppg., 5.6 rpg

Sophie Hafeman, Sr. De Pere: 15.5 ppg., 6.4 rpg. Committed to UW-Eau Claire.

Shayna Williamson, Sr., Appleton North: 10 ppg.

Tay Maass, Soph., Appleton North: 9.7 ppg., 8.6 rpg.

Helena Paplham, Sr., Green Bay Preble: 12.1 ppg., 9.8 rpg.

Jada Raeder, Jr., Green Bay Preble: 10.7 ppg., 6.7 rpg.

Alex Siudzinski, Sr., Green Bay Southwest: 11 ppg., 10.3 rpg.

Gianna Guarascio, Jr., Ashwaubenon: 13.8 ppg.

Bella Daul, Jr., Ashwaubenon: 10.2 ppg.

Olivia Sprangers, Soph., Pulaski: 11 ppg.

Grace Fruzen, Sr., Manitowoc: 11.4 ppg., 6 rpg.

Laurin Hamann, Sr. Manitowoc: 11.4 ppg., 3.7 apg.

Julia Koch, Sr., Omro: 15.3 ppg.

Madi Brooks, Sr., Omro: 12 ppg., 7.5 rpg.

Ava Koch, Soph., Omro: 11 ppg.

Sydney Whitehouse, Sr., Notre Dame: 11.9 ppg. Committed to Northern Michigan.

Peyton Musial, Jr., Notre Dame: 12.9 ppg. FRCC second team.

Kaia Waldrop, Soph., Notre Dame: 12.5 ppg.

Lindsey Nell, Sr., Winnebago Lutheran: 17.9 ppg., 7.2 rpg. Committed to Olivet Nazarene (NAIA)

Gracie Konkol, Jr., St. Mary’s Springs: 11.5 ppg.

Audrey Norville, Sr., St. Mary Catholic: 14.3 ppg. 6 rpg., 2.9 spg. Big East first team. Committed to Black Hills State.

Emily Vogel. Jr., St. Mary Catholic: 15.1 ppg.

Nolie Anderson, Jr., St. Mary Catholic: 12 ppg., 7.8 rpg.

Kallie Peppler, Sr., Hortonville: 9.7 ppg. Committed to UW-Milwaukee.

Kardyn Peppler, Fr., Hortonville: 9.9 ppg., 4.8 rpg.

Lilly Meulemans, Jr., Appleton East: 13.8 ppg., 3-PT 53-148 (35.8%)

Ella Sweeney, Fr., Appleton East: 13.8 ppg., 3-PT 57-144 (39.6%). FVA second team.

Addison Baumgart, Jr., Kaukauna: 15 ppg., 5.3 rpg.

Ava Hanson, Sr., Oshkosh North: 17.5 ppg., 5.5 rpg.

Awut Alic, Fr., Oshkosh North: 13.6 ppg., 6.7 rpg.

Brooklynn Butler, Sr., Fond du Lac: 13.6 ppg., 6 rpg. Committed to University of Tampa.

Raegan Krueger, Jr., Kimberly: 10.8 ppg., 7.3 rpg.

Ava Van Vonderen, Fr., Kimberly: 9.6 ppg. FT 91-113 (80.5%)

Emily Urban, Soph., Kimberly: 6.8 ppg., 2.3 spg.

Haylie Dulas, Fr, Kimberly: 8.4 ppg.

Jazelle Gowdy, Sr., Appleton West: 14.1 ppg., 6.3 rpg.

Paige Seckar, Sr., Oshkosh West: 14.5 ppg., 8.1 rpg. FVA first team. Committed to UW-Oshkosh.

Kali Fischer, Jr., Lena: 9.1 ppg.

Jade Kroll, Soph., Kewaunee: 16.1 ppg., 5.4 rpg.

Brianna Demmin, Jr., Kewaunee: 11.2 ppg., 5.1 rpg.

Riley Kieffer, Jr., Marinette: 13.5 ppg.

Haley Reed, Jr., Freedom: 9.2 ppg., 4.5 rpg.

Ella Verbeten, Soph., Wrightstown: 13.1 ppg., 5.1 rpg.

Mallory Colwell, Jr., Wrightstown: 10.1 ppg.

Kiarrah Micolichek, Soph., Denmark: 11.7 ppg.

Brianna Bray, Soph., Luxemburg-Casco: 9.4 ppg.

Rylie Schallow, Soph., Oconto Falls: 9.4 ppg.

Lauren Movrich, Sr., Fox Valley Lutheran: 9.1 ppg.

Hailey Bechard, Soph., Waupaca: 12.7 ppg

Rossalyn Wehmeyer, Jr., Waupaca: 11.4 ppg.

Natalie Sunita, Sr. Clintonville: 13.8 ppg., 10 rpg.

Kiersten Jensen, Sr., Coleman: 13.5 ppg.

Vivian Kostreva, Soph., Coleman: 10.6 ppg., 8.3 rpg.

Kayla Ranly, Jr., Sevastopol: 14.2 ppg.

Kiya Brand, Fr., Crivitz: 17.3 ppg.

Cilena Guns, Jr., Gillett: 13.2 ppg., 6.2 rpg.

Jaylyn Cadlwell, Jr., Oneida Nation: 16.4 ppg., 6.3 rpg.

Mariah Cloud, Jr., Oneida Nation: 15.8 ppg., 6.8 rpg.

Bunny Cramer, Jr., Suring: 13 ppg., 7.1 rpg.

Melody Schaal, Sr., Wausaukee: 14 ppg.

Payton Gilbertson, Sr., Southern Door: 13.2 ppg.

Carsyn Stempa, Sr., Xavier: 12.1 ppg., 5.1 rpg., 3.7 spg.

Madisyn Berggren, Jr., West De Pere: 15 ppg., 4.9 rpg.

Elle Krull, Fr., Xavier: 10.7 ppg.

Halle Vande Hey, Sr., Xavier: 8.4 rpg., 6.8 rpg.

Ella Hischke, Sr. Bonduel: 12 ppg.

Hailey Zernicke, Sr., Bonduel: 11 ppg., 7 rpg.

Hailee Thompson, Sr. Bonduel: 9.7 ppg.

Olivia Witkowski, Jr., Weyauwega-Fremont: 16.5 ppg., 12 rpg.

Marilyn Klatt, Sr., Manawa: 11.7 ppg.

Addison Viestenz, Jr., Oconto: 14.5 ppg., 5.8 rpg., 3.7 spg.

Ryley Zimmerman, Sr., Algoma: 10.8 ppg.

Ingrid Beaumont, Jr., N.E.W. Lutheran: 14.9 ppg., 4.5 rpg.

Lexie Meerstein, Jr., N.E.W. Lutheran: 12.1 ppg., 7.5 prg.

Grace Mitchell, Fr., Winneconne: 13.4 ppg., 6.6 rpg.

Callie Kurczek, Jr., Berlin: 14.5 ppg., 8 rpg.

Jane Hoffman, Sr., Berlin: 11.4 ppg.

Megan Hochkammer, Sophomore, Valders: 13.2 ppg., 5.6 apg.

Adahlyn Hoerl, Jr., Chilton: 20.6 ppg., 9.2 rpg., 4.7 apg.

Maddie McDole, Soph., Kiel: 11.4 ppg.

Liz Neils, Soph., Kiel: 9.4 ppg., 5.8 rpg.

Camden Hale, Jr., Brillion: 12.9 ppg.

Amaya Brooks, Soph., Brillion: 11.5 ppg., 5.2 rpg.

Payton Grenzer, Sr., New Holstein: 13.6 ppg., 9.4 rpg. Committed to Edgewood College.

Lauren Stangel, Jr., Roncalli: 14.7 ppg.

Allison Now, Soph., North Fond du Lac: 12.7 ppg.

Lauren Stettbacher, Sr., North Fond du Lac: 11.2 ppg., 5.7 rpg.

Kaylee Jensen, Jr., Two Rivers; 8.4 ppg., 6.1 rpg.

Zoey Siders, Soph., Valders: 11.1 ppg.

Claire Zipperer, Sr., Valders: 10.1 ppg., 7.8 rpg.

Karsyn Bauman, Sr., Ripon: 16.2 ppg. Committed to UW-Eau Claire.

Jamaya Mariner. Jr. Green Bay East: 17.3 ppg.

Hannah Neubert, Jr., Menasha: 15.2 ppg., 11.6 rpg.

Rayanna Jenkins, Soph., Menasha: 10.4 ppg.

Shelby Glodowski, Sr., New London: 15.3 ppg., 7.6 rpg. Committed to MSOE.

Jensen Mix, Sr. New London: 12.8 ppg., 4.8 rpg.

Kenna Mix, Sr., New London: 9.7 ppg.

Keira VandeHei, Jr., Seymour: 10.6 ppg.

Ginerva Ermis, Jr., Manitowoc Lutheran: 14.2 ppg.

Marissa Mehlhorn, Soph., Manitowoc Lutheran: 12.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg.

Julie Koeppel, Sr., Mishicot: 13.9 ppg., 8 rpg.

Kensi Rosenow, Soph., Mishicot: 12.3 ppg.

Karsyn Krause, Jr., Mishicot: 9.3 ppg.

Mallory Novy, Sr., Reedsville: 17.2 ppg., 13.3 rpg.

Mercedes Grimm, Sophomore, Reedsville: 10.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg.

Kortney Dvorachek, Sophomore, Reedsville: 10.3 ppg.

Riley Polifka, Sr., Hilbert: 11.1 ppg.

Megan Woelfel, Sr., Hilbert: 8.8 ppg., 9.1 rpg.

Alexia Garcia, Sr., Shiocton: 10.7 ppg.

Sydney Ritchie, Sr., Shiocton: 8.7 ppg., 8.9 rpg.

Andie Schar, Jr., Gibraltar: 12.5 ppg., 6.8 rpg.

Mikala Gorham, Jr., Gibraltar: 11.9 ppg.

Dasha Yeltysheva, Jr., Sturgeon Bay: 14.7 ppg.

Holly Pesch, Jr., Peshtigo: 9.9 ppg.

Delaney Ruedinger, Jr., Lourdes Academy: 12.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg.

Ella Slusarski, Sr., Lourdes Academy: 12 ppg., 6.4 rpg.

Julia Ruppenthal, Jr., Stockbridge: 3.3 ppg., 18.3 rpg. (2nd in state).

Follow Doug Ritchay on X @dougritchay