OSSIAN — Northwestern's girls basketball team had six chances in the final 27 seconds to either draw even or take the lead against Norwell on Saturday night in the Class 3A Norwell Sectional championship.
The Tigers came up frustratingly empty.
No. 4-ranked Norwell escaped with a 55-54 victory over No. 12 Northwestern after the Tigers missed two free throws and four shots from the field in the final :27.
"Those last remaining seconds took forever. It felt like an eternity," longtime Norwell coach Eric Thornton said.
Anna Bishir and Lexi Hale get emotional after Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Head coach Kathie Layden coaches her last game. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Anna Bishir eyes the basket for a shot. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
NW's Bailey Henry and Norwell's Lillian Norris battle over the ball. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Anna Bishir heads down the court after a steal. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Anna Bishir puts up a shot. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Anna Bishir heads through Norwell defenders to the basket. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
McKenna Layden throws a pass over Norwell defenders. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
McKenna Layden tries to keep the ball inbounds. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Lexi Hale puts up a shot. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
McKenna Layden throws a pass over Norwell defenders. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Ashley Newell looks for a pass between Norwell defenders. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Anna Bishir puts up a shot. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
McKenna Layden puts up a shot. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Head coach Kathie Layden coaches her last game. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Anna Bishir leaps to throw a pass. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Bailey Henry puts up a shot. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
NW's McKenna Layden reaches for the ball from Norwell's Annabelle Johnson. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Lexi Hale puts up a shot. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Flanked by Norwell's Annabelle Johnson and Dekota Hubble, NW's Lexi Hale reaches for a rebound. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Northwestern guard McKenna Layden is smacked on the arm by Norwell guard Kennedy Fuelling (10) on a drive to the basket in the Norwell Sectional final Saturday. Norwell's Vanessa Rosswurm (32) hit a 3-pointer with :40 left to lift the Knights to a 55-54 win over the Tigers.
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
McKenna Layden is fouled at the basket. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Lexi Hale puts up a shot to give Northwestern a lead in the final minutes of the game. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Bailey Henry grabs ahold of a loose ball. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
Lexi Hale tries to find the basket in the final minute of the game. Northwestern falls to Norwell 55-54 in the girls sectional final at Norwell on Saturday, February 4, 2023. Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
- Kelly Lafferty Gerber | Kokomo Tribune
