Trojans Rally Late to Capture State Title, 56-53
INDIANAPOLIS — In a state championship game that lived up to the billing, Center Grove made the winning plays down the stretch to edge Norwell, 56-53, and secure the Indiana High School Girls Basketball 4A State Championship capping off a perfect 29 – 0 season.
The Trojans (25-6) overcame a six-point halftime deficit and leaned on poise at the free-throw line and timely defense in the final minutes to bring home the hardware. Norwell came out sharp, building a 15-9 lead after the first quarter and extending it to 25-23 at halftime behind efficient shooting and balanced scoring. The Knights maintained a narrow 43-38 edge entering the fourth quarter, setting up a dramatic final eight minutes. That’s when Center Grove delivered its championship response.
Center Grove shot 40 percent from the field (16-of-40) and connected on five three-pointers. While Norwell controlled stretches of the first three quarters, the Trojans’ defensive intensity and ability to convert at the line proved to be the difference. After trailing 43-38 entering the fourth, Center Grove outscored Norwell 18-10 in the final period. Gilliard’s steady presence and late free throws sealed the victory as the Trojans closed out the final possessions with disciplined defense. The Trojans shot 83 percent (19-of-23) from the free-throw line as a team — a decisive factor in a three-point contest. They also forced 17 turnovers and collected 20 steals, consistently disrupting Norwell’s offensive rhythm.
When the final buzzer sounded, Center Grove players embraced at midcourt, celebrating a hard-fought 56-53 championship victory — a testament to resilience, depth, and composure under pressure.
Gracyn Gilliard led the way with 23 points, attacking the rim and knocking down 9-of-10 free throws. Gilliard added nine rebounds and six steals, impacting the game on both ends of the floor. Lillia Tapak contributed eight points, four rebounds and a game-high eight steals, igniting transition opportunities during Center Grove’s fourth-quarter surge. Sophomore Haley Wagoner added nine points and six rebounds, while MacKenzie Pierce chipped in nine points on three 3’s.
