
DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
Note: Our coverage of Bellmont basketball this season is supported by the Bellmont Basketball Booster Club. If you’d like to advertise on WZBD.com and support our coverage, contact the station or e-mail Dane at dane@wzbd.com for more information.
It was ugly from the start.
The difference between winning ugly and playing good defense is often very little.
On Saturday night for the Bellmont Braves, the difference was turnovers.
Playing at home in front of their biggest crowd in recent memory, the Braves began their game against their biggest rivals with the ugly and ended it with victory, but one thing never changed – hard-nosed defense.
It was ultimately the difference between two teams that may have their minds on a potential rematch in the sectional after Bellmont won 47-44, but with the way this season has gone so far, it’s hard to imagine one of these teams NOT making a deep run in this year’s 3A state tournament.
Which one of the two teams it is – that is yet to be determined.

Norwell led early but the Knights were unable to take advantage of a cold shooting start for the home team, leading just 7-5 after one.
They continued to pressure Bellmont and cause turnover after turnover in the second quarter, holding the Braves to just three made field goals in the period and taking a 22-14 lead into the locker rooms.

The lead went all the way to 13 points for coach Eric Thornton, whose Knights reached the state title game last season, but Bellmont caught fire and freshman Ashley Bleke, who was held scoreless in the first half, found her groove, getting to the line and ultimately getting the Braves on level terms at 30-30.

A layup by Lanie French with 40 seconds to play in the third gave the Braves their very first lead in the contest at 33-32.

Both teams scored 12 points in the fourth quarter and senior Emily Bleke kept the Braves in the lead when she knocked down two giant free throws (despite some interference from opposing fans) in the final minute. The Knights hurt their own cause by hitting just four of seven shots from the free throw line in the final quarter.

Vanessa Rosswurm was key in helping Norwell to jump out to the early lead and she finished as the game’s leading scorer with 13. She was also key in ratcheting up the defense early and forcing turnovers.

Bellmont found penetration (see above) in the second half, though, and the combination of Emily Bleke and Ashley Bleke, combined with the 14-rebound game of Mary Bleke, gave the Braves a chance.


Another freshman, Kaitlyn Barton, played a key role with her ability to create chances with the dribble. Barton and Kate Kitson knocked down two big threes in the game.


Ashley Bleke finished with ten points and the Braves were led by Emily Bleke with twelve. Barton had nine and Mary Bleke had four.








The Braves have two conference games remaining – Friday at Huntington North and the following Friday at home against Leo. They will be heavy favorites in both as they hope to complete a spotless 7-0 NE8 record before shooting for their ultimate goal – a sectional title.

Coach Andy Heim’s team is now 16-2 and they could end the year with as many victories as the other four teams not named Norwell in the sectional combined (Mississinewa, Marion – 8; New Haven – 2; Heritage – 1), leaving most to expect that the eventual Norwell vs. Bellmont rematch will be the de facto title game, not matter when it takes place.
The biggest difference in “Part Deux” of this rivalry in 2025?
Norwell will host Sectional 22.