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Norwell won three of its first six games this season, which gave off the appearance that the inevitable was taking place.

Seven seniors had graduated from the squad that came up short against Gibson Southern in last season’s Class 3A final, 63-60, taking roughly 80-percent of the Knights’ point production with them.

Most programs would’ve taken a step back when faced with such numerical truths.

Norwell stepped up.

The nearly three-decades-long tenure of coach Eric Thornton means not only victories – as evidenced by the 474 the Knights have accumulated (an average of nearly 17 per season) – but the reality that magical Februarys are always within reach.

“This isn’t a surprise to our kids. This team has been under the radar literally all season. These kids have been waiting, and this class has always been successful growing up,” said Thornton. “We knew this was coming behind last year’s run. It’s just we couldn’t get them on the floor together.”

Junior starters Vanessa Rosswurm and Macie Saalfrank grew up wanting to be Knights once they reached high school. The Norwell culture is evident in everything they and their teammates and coaches have accomplished these past few months.

Rosswurm, a 5-11 guard, was the only starter returning; Saalfrank, a 5-9 guard, scored a grand total of two varsity points over the course of the 2023-2024 season.

They are this squad’s top two scorers, averaging 22.6 and 14.1 points a game, respectively.

Waiting one’s turn is, too, a skill.

“I’ve always thought this team could make it back to the state finals,” said Rosswurm, who also leads Norwell in rebounding (6.5) and assists (3.5). “Even last year when the majority of the juniors on the roster now were practicing against the varsity, the varsity team would lose sometimes because practices were so competitive.”

“Seeing that, and just growing up with all these girls, I just knew. We are used to winning.”

Rosswurm was the lone Norwell underclassman to play in the loss to Gibson Southern, scoring 14 points, grabbing seven rebounds and making four steals.

The Knights, who ride a 10-game win streak into Gainbridge Fieldhouse, also feature 5-8 junior guards Ashley Waldman (7 ppg), Addison Norris (6.6) and Jada Dale (5.7). Alivia Green, a 5-10 sophomore forward, is second on the team in rebounding (4.9).

“Practicing against (seniors) was such a big experience last year. We would challenge them, and I think that’s a lot of what helped them, and us, get better,” said Saalfrank. “I knew that we would be under the radar this season, and that didn’t bother me at all. We knew our potential, and that’s all that really matters.”

The Class 3A State Championship featuring Norwell (22-6) and Greensburg (27-0) will stream via PPV on IHSAAtv.org this Saturday at 6 pm ET / 5 pm CT!

In undefeated Greensburg, the Knights find themselves matching talents against another young team. The Pirates’ roster includes only three seniors, though two of them are among the leading scorers in 5-8 guard Mylie Wilkison (15.6) and 6-1 forward Leah West (15.2).

As fifth-graders, Wilkison and West were in the stands watching their then-freshmen sisters play in the program’s first-ever state championship game, a 63-42 loss to Northwestern in the 3A final in 2018.

“I just remember hoping I would be in that position someday,” said West. “Once they went to state that year, it kind of set the standard for the program. Seeing it from my perspective now, and seeing all the little kids who love being part of the program, it’s really special.”

Claire Larrison, a 5-10 sophomore guard, scores at a team-best 16.2 clip for the Pirates. Aly Powers, a 5-9 junior, checks in with 10.1 points per contest, followed by junior guard Mary Harmon at 6.6. Larrison’s 7.7 rebounding average is best for Greensburg, while West is at 5.5.

Now in his 11th season as the Greensburg coach, Jason Simpson has compiled a record of 207-65 (.761). This includes seven seasons of 20 or more victories, as well as six sectional crowns.

He always hoped to steer the program back toward downtown Indianapolis, but wasn’t sure it would happen.

“I’m not going to lie. I’m not talking out of both sides of my mouth when I say this, but you can never take for granted that you’ll get back here,” said Simpson. “You can be the most talented team in the state, but you get a sprained ankle, you get an off-night. Whatever it is.

“You not only have to be talented, there’s a little luck that’s got to come into play. When these seniors came in as freshmen, and I saw the work that they were willing to do, and what they put into their game, I started to think we could build back to this.”