Elite Week One Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first week of the 24-25 season is in the books, and plenty has happened around the state, from intriguing matchups to individual excellence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='533057' first='Natalie' last='Kussow']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Arrowhead guard is among the most consistent performers we've seen these past few years and continued that into her junior season. Kussow has a hand in every aspect of the game on both ends. She rebounds, moves the ball well, and is a sticky defender on the perimeter. Kussow is a highly sought-after junior, made massive plays in their season-opening win against Edgewood, and was on triple-double watch against Oconomowoc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='814306' first='Devin' last='Larson']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A player I was impressed by as I went around the state this past week was Hudson sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='814306' first='Devin' last='Larson']. The 5'7 guard is quick as a hiccup and used that quickness to beat her defender off the dribble repeatedly. In a program full of talent, Larson is the key that gets the Hudson engine rolling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='427156' first='Valerie' last='Richardson']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After Richardson's first week, I'm sure plenty of coaches are sniffing around and gauging her interest in their programs. Scoring 47 points with nine three-pointers tends to get people talking, and in a rivalry game for the Purgolders, no less. She'll be a handful for other Big Eight teams to handle this season, and I'd think she's a first-team all-conference level kid this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='838113' first='Avery' last='Werfal']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The surprise of the 2027 class a season ago was [player_tooltip player_id='838113' first='Avery' last='Werfal'], and she's continuing to prove how well she can play as a primary offensive option. Werfal's performance at Stevens Point was impressive in the three games Appleton North played to open their season. Werfal scored 39 points in 23 shots and led the Lightning to a win over a team they could see again in the postseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1241336' first='Nora' last='Jensen']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a season where New Auburn should have its eyes on a potential run to state, junior [player_tooltip player_id='1241336' first='Nora' last='Jensen'] is off to an excellent start. Jensen finished well with her left hand and has been excellent rebounding for a guard. She's someone who you should keep tabs on in D5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448244' first='Ameerah' last='Grant']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As of Thanksgiving, Grant is the leading scorer in the state, and she's had an unbelievable start to her senior season. The 5'5 Brown Deer guard is a three-level scorer and a volume shooter for the Falcons, and those shots have been falling with volume. She'll likely be the POY in the Woodland East and is an intriguing, unsigned 2025 remaining on the board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='917003' first='Yana-Aaliyah' last='Stevens']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Janesville native will become a household name in the Big Eight and 2028 class. Stevens has an excellent motor, with the skill set to match. She can shoot teams out of 2-3 zones, crash the glass, score in bunches, and be a disruptive perimeter defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->