You probably recall that Norwell won a state title in girls’ basketball last year. The year before, the Lady Knights were state runner-ups who would graduate great seniors such as Kennedy Fuelling and MacKenzie Fuess later that spring. But last year’s Knights banded together, and ultimately beat Greensburg in the State Finals.
This year’s Knights have a loaded senior class. That includes Vanessa Rosswurm who led Norwell in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. They also bring back Macie Saalfrank who averaged 14.1 points per game, 2.8 steals per game, and shot 37.5% from three. Meanwhile Addie Norris, Ashley Waldman, and Jada Dale each shot over 35% from the field and over 30% from three.
Even the junior class showed a lot of promise. Alivia Green and Bella Swineford proved to be effective on the boards. Haley Williamson averaged eight minutes per game. But in that time, she came up with 21 steals. Green, Swineford, and Williamson figure to play key roles for the Lady Knights; whether that’s as starters, or off the bench.
Rosswurm, Saalfrank, and Swineford finished up volleyball season a week ago. That season ended with Regionals last Saturday. They starting practicing for basketball again this past Monday. Not surprisingly, some of those girls have had to adjust from volleyball to basketball. But it doesn’t seem to have fazed them all too much, and head coach Eric Thornton has been impressed with what they’ve shown since returning to practice.
Norwell opens their season at The Castle on Tuesday night. They’ll take on Tippacanoe Valley at 7:30.
