Throughout this season, we have taken every opportunity to reflect on the 50th anniversary of the first IHSAA-sanctioned girls’ basketball season and the 50th anniversary of the first state tournament. Located in Ossian, IN, the Norwell Knights have built a reputation for sustained excellence in girls’ basketball. 1977 marked the second year of the state tournament where Norwell, led by Miss Indiana Basketball Terri Rosinski, reached the Final Four.
At the end of last season, many people did not expect the Norwell Knights to reach the state finals this season following a 63-60 loss to Gibson Southern that saw their 23-5 season end as state finalists. Whenever you ask Coach Eric Thornton about this season’s expectations, he would admit that he was not sure if this team would return to that championship game as they had to replace seven seniors from the previous team, which included 3/4 of their offense led by Kennedy Fuelling (Marian University) and Makenzie Fuess (Saint Francis (Fort Wayne)).
Much like last season, Norwell (22-6) had a very tough road ahead both with their NE8 competition and their nonconference slate. Norwell began the season 3-3 with losses to 4A powers Northridge, Warsaw, and Homestead, even though the potential was there to do something special. Leading up to this year’s tournament, Norwell lost two conferences at the hands of Columbia City and Bellmont by a combined margin of 10 points and lost 73-71 in OT to Noblesville in their own Holliday tournament.
Among many factors behind their turnaround, the players never lowered the standards set by last year’s team. Junior Vanessa Rosswurm was already a bright star in the making as a sophomore, but she has now emerged as a future Indiana Miss Basketball candidate averaging 22.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Not only is Rosswurm a lethal three-level scorer, but she takes a ton of pride on her defense.
Coach Thornton alluded to me that her transition to being the starting point guard has been marvelous showcasing her competitive drive and a willingness to learn and lead by example. Rosswurm’s growth will lead to interest amongst colleges this offseason, but at the end of the day her focus is on finishing the job that was set one year ago. In her last four games, Rosswurm has scored 25 or more points in three of these games, including a 41-point performance in the sectional championship win over NE8 champion Bellmont.
Most people did not know who Macie Saalfrank was, unless you had been following Norwell Athletics. Saalfrank is a gifted athlete from her days as a setter on the volleyball team-to which Rosswurm is also on the volleyball team. Macie waited patiently for her opportunity to shine, just like many Norwell players that are soon going to be playing in their first state finals experience. Saalfrank is Norwell’s most consistent shooter shooting 37% from deep to go with her 14.1 points per game. In the Semi-State championship game at Huntington North, her 4 triples set the tempo for Norwell to find success in that 61-53 win over Columbia City.
Since the 47-44 loss to Bellmont, Norwell has won their last 10 games averaging 73.7 points per game and giving up just 35.3 points per game. Norwell’s ability to have up to seven girls that can knock down shots along with Coach Thornton’s chaotic 1-3-1 zone defense makes this matchup Greensburg’s toughest test yet.
Norwell is a battle-tested team playing diverse competition across the Fort Wayne area, some of Michiana’s best teams, and are not afraid to play the best competition in the state regardless of class. For 28 years, Eric Thornton’s program has set the standard for sustained excellence on and off the court. This team continues to find ways to be successful in this ever-changing world of educational athletics thanks in part to a strong backing of community support, and a collection of driven kids that trust the process.
Their talent and their resilience make them a formidable opponent for the top-ranked Greensburg Pirates (27-0), who they have built quite the program over the years. Representing the Eastern Indiana Conference, Greensburg has steamrolled past most competition and grabbed a couple impressive wins over Silver Creek and Plainfield in the regular season. Jason Simpson’s Pirates provide very similar perspectives to that of Norwell’s. Simpson said this team is extremely selfless, and there is not a single player that wants the success more than the others.
First off, Greensburg’s “Core Four” is arguably one of the best in all of Indiana regardless of class with four players averaging 10 or more points. Much like Gabby Spink for Gibson Southern, Claire Larrison is a bucket-getter as a sophomore guard averaging 16.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and shooting at an insane clip of 62% from the field and 47% from downtown. That will obviously be on Norwell’s scouting report, but Mylie Wilkison is a very capable scorer as a senior guard that eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau.
On paper, Norwell has their defensive work cut out for them, but no one did not think Norwell was going to be on this stage again. Both teams match up pretty well in terms of their floor vision, rebounding, and on-ball defense. However, whoever can control the glass best will be key as a kid like Isabella Swineford is capable of changing a game because of her relentlessly high motor. The frontcourt matchup between Norwell Sophomore Alivia Green and Greensburg Senior Leah West might be the most underrated matchup to watch in this game.
One other thing to watch is the game of runs. Which team can sustain their run and make their shots? Which team is able to through the physicality of the game and stay out of foul trouble? Expect this game to be extremely physical but also fast-paced as both teams like that style.
Saturday will mark the conclusion of the 50th Indiana High School Girls’ Basketball State Tournament, but the storyline remains the same now as it has been for the previous 49 state tournaments. Both teams have earned their place to reach the ultimate pinnacle; One massive game stands in the way of championship glory. All of the hard work, sweat, and tears to prepare for this season comes down to one final game.
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