Chris Norwell

2/1/02: "Chris Norwell leads Cincinnati's Division I boys in both scoring and rebounding, a feat which has caught both Norwell and his Anderson High School coaches by surprise. Well, somewhat. Norwell, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound junior center, is averaging 22.3 points and 12.3 rebounds. A few players from smaller schools have bigger numbers in each category, but no one in Division I — the large-school classification in Ohio — can match Norwell's averages. Anderson coach Frank Brandy knew Norwell was among the top five in the Tristate in both categories. He hadn't realized Norwell's Division I dominance until someone recently mentioned it. "Chris is a throwback kind of guy, he just plays with a lot of tenacity," Brandy said. “He's big and strong and hard-nosed. He maybe doesn't do everything the prettiest way, but he gets the job done."

Norwell has led Anderson (13-3) to a ranking of No.9 in the Enquirer Division I coaches poll. With 976 career points and another full season remaining, he seems a lock to shatter the Anderson career scoring record held by his brother Adam, who scored 1,211 points and later played at Northern Kentucky University. "I don't care about the points,” Chris Norwell said. “I care more about the rebounds. Any player can score 20 points on the right night, but not everybody can have 12 or 13 rebounds a game.”

Not everybody does it against constant double-teams from opposing defenses. Norwell also has been triple-teamed, as was the case when he faced No.1-ranked Winton Woods earlier this season. Norwell was held to 13 points in an 84-42 loss to Winton, a rare instance of him scoring under 20.

Norwell does not have a signature move, but what sets him apart from the typical inside “big man” locally is he routinely steps out for the 10- to 15-foot jumper. “He shoots it well and takes it to the basket well,” Brandy said. “He's just a good high school post player.”

How good is Norwell? Brandy, an Anderson standout himself in the early 1980s, refers that one to assistant coach Dan Bartholomew. Bartholomew has coached in the Forest Hills School District (Anderson, Turpin) for 35 years. He invokes the names of Anderson basketball greats such as Kevin Galbraith (1970s), Joe Datin (1980s) and Norwell's brother Adam (1990s). “Not many people have been close to Chris here, as far as production,” Bartholomew said. “He's certainly right at the top of players we've had. And he's not just a big guy, he's an athlete.”

Norwell is a major college prospect in both football and basketball. In football he has been an offensive tackle but probably will move to tight end his senior year, Anderson football coach Vince Suriano said. Suriano said early letters for Norwell are arriving from the likes of Wisconsin and Ohio State. In basketball, Norwell's suitors include the University of CINCINNATI, Tulane, and all the Mid-American Conference schools — to name a few. “I'm not sure which sport I'll choose,” Norwell said. “I'll just keep it open for now.”

Brandy, with such a big star on his hands, expresses concern that Norwell not get too much attention. But other Anderson standouts such as senior swingman Marcus Thompson (12.5 ppg) and sophomore point guard Ryan Patzwald (10 ppg, 5 assists a game) say Norwell deserves his accolades. “It helps us win, so that's why we go to him,” Thompson said. “What I like is he's one of the better big men at running the floor, and we like to get out and run.” Said Patzwald, “We all accept our roles, and we look to Chris first. I've been on other teams where there's jealousy when one guy scores too much, but not this team. We care about each other, and that's why we're 13-3."

A big test happens tonight when Mason, ranked No.5 in the city, visits Anderson. Mason beat Anderson 65-46 at Mason on Dec.21. "This is a big game for us," Norwell said. “If all of us step up, we're tough to beat. We'll be ready, but I'm sure they will be too." Double-teams are sure to follow, which is routine for the city's top double-double man. "By now," Norwell said, “I'm used to it." - Cincinnati Enquirer

Listed as the 32nd best junior in Ohio by Hoop Scoop

Dec 2001: "Junior center Chris Norwell poured in 25 points and added seven rebounds to lead Anderson to a 61-52 win over Lakota West on Saturday at the i-wireless Invitational Hoops Classic." - Hack Sports