Arrowhead defeats undefeated Tosa East in double overtime to win Division 1 championship

Arrowhead beats undefeated Wauwatosa East 80-74 in double OT to win the WIAA Division 1 championship behind Natalie Kussow's 34 points.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 1:49pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a rematch of their regular-season overtime showdown, Arrowhead (28-2) defeated undefeated Wauwatosa East 80-74 in double overtime Saturday to win the WIAA Division 1 State Championship, handing the Red Raiders (29-1) their first loss of the season. Arrowhead senior Natalie Kussow scored 34 points, including 7 in the double overtime period, to lead the Warriors to victory.

Why it matters

This game was a highly anticipated rematch between two of the state's top teams, with Wauwatosa East entering the championship game undefeated. The win gives Arrowhead their fourth state title overall and 13th WIAA State Tournament appearance, showcasing the program's sustained excellence.

The details

Arrowhead appeared to have the game in hand, leading by four with 10 seconds left in regulation, but Tosa East's Ellie Deprey hit an And-1 three-pointer to send the game to overtime. From there, Kussow took over, scoring 7 of her 34 points in the double overtime period to seal the win for Arrowhead. Kussow also finished with 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Wauwatosa East's Maika Litza led the Red Raiders with 26 points.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 15, 2026.

The players

Natalie Kussow

A senior at Arrowhead High School who is committed to play basketball at the University of Minnesota. She scored 34 points, including 7 in double overtime, to lead Arrowhead to the Division 1 championship.

Libby Gilmore

A senior at Arrowhead High School who added 11 points and 13 rebounds for the Warriors.

Maika Litza

A senior at Wauwatosa East High School who led the Red Raiders with 26 points. She is committed to play basketball at DePaul University.

Ellie Deprey

A player for Wauwatosa East High School who hit a game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds of regulation to send the game to overtime.

Arrowhead Warriors

The high school basketball team from Arrowhead High School that won the WIAA Division 1 State Championship.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You got to win the one that matters. This was that one, and we were coming in knowing they're an amazing team having a great season, and if we wanted to win we had to come out strong and fight out the whole way.”

— Libby Gilmore, Arrowhead Senior

“It feels great, but you know, we can't do it without a team, and I had an amazing team with me, and everyone had a big role in the whole game this whole weekend and throughout the whole season. I think it's just great to say that we came out and we were able to win our last game.”

— Natalie Kussow

What’s next

The victory is Arrowhead's fourth state title overall. The Warriors also made their 13th WIAA State Tournament appearance, tied for second in WIAA history. For Wauwatosa East, the loss ends a remarkable run as they were undefeated before the championship game and were making their fifth trip to the state tournament and their third consecutive appearance.

The takeaway

This game showcased the high level of talent and competitiveness in Wisconsin high school basketball, with two elite teams battling it out in a double overtime thriller to determine the Division 1 champion. Arrowhead's ability to withstand Wauwatosa East's runs and make key plays down the stretch demonstrated the Warriors' championship pedigree and resilience.