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INDIANAPOLIS - For the first two and a half quarters of the Class 4-A championship game, Center Grove and Norwell were mired in a slog that resembled a street fight.

The final quarter and a half, however, proved epic.

Center Grove overcame an 11-point, third-quarter deficit on the strength of a 26-5, then held on for a 56-53 win to claim the Class 4-A state title.

“The only way to explain it,” CG coach Kevin Stuckmeyer explained, “is that our 12 girls and the coaching staff were all in a foxhole and we came together and found a way to win.”

Because the Trojans found a way, they claimed the school’s second state championship, with the first coming back in 1996. The 11-point deficit the Trojans faced matched the largest comeback ever in a 4-A title game.

It also capped a perfect season at 29-0 – the first unbeaten, state championship season since Bedford North Lawrence pulled off the feat in 2012-13.

“It was a street fight,” Norwell coach Eric Thornton said, “and you have to give credit to Center Grove. They have found ways to win all season long.”

IHSAA Class 4A State Championship

Center Grove 56, Norwell 53

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The Knights (25-5) were poised to become the first team to win Class 4-A the season after winning the 3-A championship. Midway through that third quarter, it looked like Norwell would pull it off.

At the 4:00 mark of the third quarter Norwell held a 36-27 lead. After the media timeout, senior Vanessa Rosswurm canned a pull-up jumper to give the Knights that 11-point lead.

During the media timeout, Stuckmeyer lit into his team with an extremely animated tongue-lashing.

“I didn’t like the look in the players’ eyes,” Stuckmeyer said of his “message.” “We didn’t come this far to just give it a good run.”

The Trojans did cut into the deficit to pull within 43-38 after three quarters, then exploded by scoring the first 15 points of the fourth quarter.

It was junior guard McKenzie Pierce who sparked the run by hitting a pair of 3-pointers that sandwiched a put-back bucket by Haley Wagoner that gave CG a 46-43 lead.

The Trojans never trailed again.

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“I decided if I was open, I was going to shoot it,” Wagoner said. “Hitting that first one got the momentum going and it helped me hit the second.

“It was what we needed to get the energy up.”

“(Pierce’s) threes were ginormous,” Stuckmeyer said. "She was ready for the moment and has a poise about her where no moment is too big.”

By the time the run was over, Center Grove had a 53-43 lead, forcing Norwell into a timeout with 2:33 left. After the break, Norwell scored the next nine points, pulling within 53-52.

Wagoner hit a free throw with :22 left to reestablish a 2-point lead. On Norwell’s next possession, Rosswurm fired a 3-pointer from Steph Curry-range, but missed. Teammate Alivia Green rebounded, was fouled on her put-back attempt and converted one of two free throws to make it 54-53.

Center Grove then inbounded to Miss Basketball-candidate Gracyn Gilliard, who was immediately fouled with :12 left. She converted both free throws to close the scoring. Gilliard finished with game-highs in points (23) and rebounds (nine).

Norwell’s final shot rimmed off and Center Grove escaped.

Rosswurm led the Knights with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Macie Saalfrank and Ashley Waldman each added 11 points.

“We battled so hard that this loss really stings,” Thornton said. "They made their big run and we started ours a little too late.”

Class 4A State Championship Records

Biggest Comeback to Win (Tied): -11 by Center Grove (trailed by 11, 3:41 3Q)

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Norwell's Macie Saalfrank named Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award

The IHSAA Executive Committee names Macie Saalfrank (#24) of Norwell High School as the Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award winner in Class 4A Girls Basketball. 
  
The award is presented annually to a senior participant in each classification who was nominated by her principal and coach and has demonstrated excellence in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. 
  
Macie has maintained a 4.04 GPA while balancing her commitments as a member of the National Honor Society, an Executive Officer for Riley Dance Marathon, and a multi-sport athlete in basketball, volleyball, and tennis for the Knights. Beyond the classroom and competition, she gives back by volunteering as a coach, serving in her church, and helping lead the Friday Night Cleanup Crew following football and basketball games.

She played a key role on the 2025 3A State Championship team and the 2024 3A State Runner-Up team. Saalfrank has earned All-Conference honors in all three of her sports, along with All-State recognition in tennis.

Macie is the daughter of Terry and Shalynn Saalfrank of Ossian, Indiana. She is undecided on her college plans but would like to pursue a degree in psychology. 

The Indiana Fever and Indiana Pacers, the presenting sponsors of the IHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournament, presented a $1,000 scholarship to the general scholarship fund at Norwell High School in the name of Macie Saalfrank. 

The award is named in honor of the late former IHSAA assistant commissioner Patricia L. Roy, who oversaw the girls basketball state tournament from its inception in 1976 until her retirement in 1999.

IHSAA’s Champion of Education Award, presented by Ivy Tech Community College

This award recognizes teachers and faculty who go above and beyond to challenge students to reach their full potential. As an organization that emphasizes keeping education at the forefront of high school athletics, the IHSAA is proud to shine a light on two honorees in this year’s class. On behalf of Ivy Tech Community College, presenting sponsors of the IHSAA Champion of Education Award, the IHSAA will award $250 to the classroom of each recipient.

Presenters: Erik Coyne, Chancellor of Ivy Tech Bloomington

• Danielle Munn teaches Geometry and Algebra at Center Grove High School. Danielle brings unmatched energy, passion, and heart to everything she does. From inspiring confidence in her math classroom to leading the charge in the student cheer block, she is driven by a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of young people. Known for her kindness, optimism, and unwavering support, Miss Munn is the kind of educator every student is lucky to have!
• Ron Harnish is a Business and Vocational Education teacher at Norwell High School, where he has guided generations of students toward meaningful careers through work-based learning, internships, and real-world mentorship. Beyond the classroom, he has dedicated countless hours to coaching, supporting athletics, and faithfully serving at events—truly living out his love for Blue & Gold. With his wisdom, compassion, and belief in every student’s potential, Mr. Harnish has strengthened his school community in ways that will be felt for years to come!