{"id":23977,"date":"2025-02-09T16:02:55","date_gmt":"2025-02-09T21:02:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/?p=23977"},"modified":"2025-02-09T17:12:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-09T22:12:43","slug":"rosswurm-lifts-9-norwell-past-6-bellmont-in-title-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/09\/rosswurm-lifts-9-norwell-past-6-bellmont-in-title-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Rosswurm lifts #9 Norwell past #6 Bellmont in title game"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>RANDY HISNER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>WZBD.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Too much Vanessa Rosswurm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s the short version of what the Bellmont Braves encountered in their quest to dethrone the two-time defending champion Norwell Knights in the final game of the Norwell 3A Girls\u2019 Basketball Sectional Saturday. Rosswurm, the only returning starter from Norwell\u2019s 2024 state runner-up team, went wild with 41 points to outscore the entire Bellmont team and lead the Knights to a 57-39 win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/HeimonRosswurm.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Bellmont head coach Andy Heim spoke with the Z team after Norwell&#8217;s win. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The point explosion also put the junior over the 1,000-point mark for her career. \u201cKudos to her,\u201d said Bellmont coach Andy Heim. \u201cShe had an awesome night. She\u2019s a great player. Last year, when I saw her improvement in the summer, I\u2019m like, \u2018We\u2019re going to be in some trouble with her,\u2019 and she showed it tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Rosswurm2825.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Vanessa Rosswurm spoke with the Z Team after the game Saturday, discussing her outstanding performance. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The game was a matchup of state powers; the Braves were ranked sixth in 3A coming into the game, the Knights ninth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The title is the 13<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;in 28 years and 12<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;in the last 15 years for veteran Norwell coach Eric Thornton. \u201cThis is the first win we\u2019ve had this year over a team like Bellmont, that top-level team,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been talking about when that breakthrough win was going to come. We\u2019ve beaten some good teams, but the best teams on our schedule we have not. We\u2019ve been close, and we\u2019re trying to break through. This was the first.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"702\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4415.jpeg?resize=640%2C702&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23986\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4415-scaled.jpeg?resize=934%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 934w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4415-scaled.jpeg?resize=274%2C300&amp;ssl=1 274w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4415-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C842&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4415-scaled.jpeg?resize=1401%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1401w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4415-scaled.jpeg?resize=1868%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1868w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4415-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C1122&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4415-scaled.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4415-scaled.jpeg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Vanessa Rosswurm, who scored a game-high 41 points, draws a foul on a drive. (Photo by Randy Hisner)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There was an element of redemption in the win too. \u201cWe\u2019ve been preparing for this ever since they got us at their place,\u201d Thornton added, referring to the Braves\u2019 47-44 win on January 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/08febThornton.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Head coach Eric Thornton discusses his team&#8217;s sectional title with the Z Team. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Rosswurm gave previews of coming attractions when she scored the first four points of the game, on a 12-foot turnaround jumper and a pair of free throws, helping the Knights (19-6) jump out to an 8-2 lead. Ashley Bleke, who led the Braves with 18 points, countered with two three-pointers in less than thirty seconds to tie it. The teams tied again at 12-12 before Rosswurm made a free throw to give Norwell a 13-12 lead at the first stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two drives and a three from Rosswurm sparked a 9-2 Norwell run to begin the second quarter and put the Knights up, 22-14. Then the Braves (21-3) turned the tables, going on a 9-2 run of their own, capped by Lanie French\u2019s second three-pointer, which pulled them back within one, at 24-23, with seven seconds to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"606\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4447.jpeg?resize=640%2C606&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23988\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4447-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C970&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4447-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C284&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4447-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C727&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4447-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1455&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4447-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1940&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4447-scaled.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4447-scaled.jpeg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Lanie French sprints to keep up with a Norwell ballhandler. (Photo by Randy Hisner)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Then came a bizarre sequence of events. The Knights rushed down the court, and Rosswurm fired an off-balance desperation three-point attempt with a mere two-tenths of a second left, the shot missing the mark. But defender Emily Bleke was whistled for a foul on the shot, sending Rosswurm to the line for three free throws.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She hit the first, missed the second, and hit the third, putting the Knights up by three. More to come, though\u2014the Braves\u2019 Oni Krueckeberg contacted Rosswurm while blocking her out, knocking her to the floor, and was assessed a foul. Since the Knights were in the bonus, Rosswurm went to the line for two more free throws, which she promptly swished, giving the Knights a five-point lead at 28-23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Emily Bleke opened the scoring in the third quarter with a three-point play at the 7:31 mark to pull the Braves within two. The Knights responded with consecutive threes by Addison Norris and Macie Saalfrank, putting them up eight at 34-26. Rosswurm got hot again, scoring seven points in two and a half minutes, offsetting six points by Ashley Bleke, and the Knights won the quarter, 15-11, to take a 43-34 lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"856\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4407.jpeg?resize=640%2C856&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23985\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4407-scaled.jpeg?resize=766%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 766w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4407-scaled.jpeg?resize=224%2C300&amp;ssl=1 224w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4407-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C1027&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4407-scaled.jpeg?resize=1148%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1148w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4407-scaled.jpeg?resize=1531%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1531w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4407-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C1370&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4407-scaled.jpeg?w=1914&amp;ssl=1 1914w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4407-scaled.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Ashley Bleke shoots from the top of the key. (Photo by Randy Hisner)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Foul trouble for the Braves made containing Rosswurm even more difficult. Emily Bleke picked up her third foul on a charge with 4:58 to go in the third quarter and then her fourth, on an attempted steal, with 1:22 left. She had to sit out the rest of the quarter and a big chunk of the fourth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"698\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4442.jpeg?resize=640%2C698&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23989\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4442-scaled.jpeg?resize=939%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 939w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4442-scaled.jpeg?resize=275%2C300&amp;ssl=1 275w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4442-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C837&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4442-scaled.jpeg?resize=1409%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1409w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4442-scaled.jpeg?resize=1879%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1879w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4442-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C1116&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4442-scaled.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Ashley Bleke drives to the hoop in traffic<\/em>.<em> (Photo by Randy Hisner)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Ashley Bleke got her fourth foul with 6:51 left in the final quarter, limiting her defensive aggressiveness too. Rosswurm made the most of the Braves\u2019 diminished defense, repeatedly driving hard to the bucket for layups and drawing fouls, scoring all 14 of the Knights\u2019 points in the fourth quarter while the Braves could muster only five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/08febNorwell57Bellmont39Wrap.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The Z Team of Mike Macke and Lou Koning wrap up the broadcast. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4416.jpeg?resize=640%2C534&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23987\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4416-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C854&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4416-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C250&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4416-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C641&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4416-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1281&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4416-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1708&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4416-scaled.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4416-scaled.jpeg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Emily Bleke finds an opening in the vaunted Norwell 1-3-1 trap. (Photo by Randy Hisner)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Knights\u2019 trademark 1-3-1 zone trap gave the Braves fits all night. They turned the ball over 17 times, but more than that, they spent much of their energy dealing with the trap and had trouble finding an offensive rhythm. Meanwhile, Rosswurm got in a rhythm early and never got out of it. She was 11-for-21 from the floor (including one three-pointer) and 18-for-23 from the free throw line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Heim was appreciative of his team\u2019s effort this season. With four freshmen and two sophomores playing major roles in the team, the young Braves were not expected to win 21 games and go undefeated in the NE8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s just a whole group effort of teamwork and, you know, believing in one another and trusting one another,\u201d he said. \u201cIt&#8217;s unfortunate that it ends here, but look, there\u2019s a bunch of high notes this year, even though we end on a low note.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4450.jpeg?resize=640%2C451&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23990\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4450-scaled.jpeg?resize=1024%2C721&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4450-scaled.jpeg?resize=300%2C211&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4450-scaled.jpeg?resize=768%2C540&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4450-scaled.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1081&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4450-scaled.jpeg?resize=2048%2C1441&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4450-scaled.jpeg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4450-scaled.jpeg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Emily Bleke drives to the middle as teammates Kate Kitson (#3) and Gwen Laurent (#24) look on. (Photo by Randy Hisner)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Heim also praised his senior leaders, Emily Bleke and Gwen Laurent, who closed out their decorated careers with the loss. He especially extolled the way they have continued his program\u2019s tradition of hard work.&nbsp;&nbsp;\u201cI couldn\u2019t have asked for better seniors to carry that on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Thornton2825.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Eric Thornton spoke with WZBD&#8217;s Randy Hisner after the game, as well. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Braves were 5-for-19 on twos (26%), 6-for-19 on threes (32%), and 11-for-15 on free throws (73%). The Knights hit 14-of-29 twos (48%), 3-of-13 threes (23%), and 20-of-25 free throws (80%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/08febNorBellStats.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The Z Team wraps up the stats for the 3A sectional championship game. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Bellmont scoring: Ashley Bleke 18, Emily Bleke 9, French 7, Krueckeberg 3, Mary Bleke 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Norwell scoring: Rosswurm 41, Norris 5, Saalfrank 5, Alivia Green 2, Haley Williamson 2, Jade Dale 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Norwell will play East Noble in the regional, which will be played at Bellmont Tip-off for the game will be 7 p.m.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>RANDY HISNER WZBD.com Too much Vanessa Rosswurm. That\u2019s the short version of what the Bellmont Braves encountered in<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":23978,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[41,13,15,46,26],"class_list":["post-23977","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-basketball","tag-bellmont","tag-featured","tag-norwell","tag-sports"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wzbd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_4439-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C2241&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23977","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23977"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23977\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24001,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23977\/revisions\/24001"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23978"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23977"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23977"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wzbd.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23977"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}