A Season to Remember
Perfect Season, Perfect Ending: Trojans Capture Class 4A Girls Basketball State Title
The final buzzer sounded inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and for a brief moment, everything seemed to pause.
Then came the celebration.
Players embraced. Coaches smiled. Emotions poured out as the Center Grove Trojans girls basketball team completed a perfect season — 29 wins, zero losses — and captured the Class 4A state championship with a thrilling 56-53 victory over Norwell.
For Center Grove head coach Kevin Stuckmeyer, the moment was more than just the final score.
“I felt incredibly proud of our players and assistant coaches for all the effort they put in throughout the season,” Stuckmeyer says. “We had such a great group of players who consistently did things the right way both on and off the court. I just wanted to step back and take it all in, the joy, the celebration and the smiles on their faces.”
This championship marked the program’s second state title and the first since 1996, ending a 30-year wait and adding another historic chapter to Center Grove athletics.
“Center Grove is such a tremendous community, and it has been so great for my family and me,” Stuckmeyer says. “We’re simply proud to call ourselves champions and to add to the rich tradition of girls basketball and Center Grove athletics.”
The Trojans’ journey to the title was nothing short of dominant, yet it was also defined by resilience.
After rolling through sectional play with wins over Perry Meridian (66-28), Southport (66-24) and Franklin Central (55-50), Center Grove faced tougher tests as the tournament progressed.
A gritty 50-45 regional win over Pendleton Heights was followed by a challenging semistate, where the Trojans defeated Evansville Reitz 53-37 and edged Lawrence Central in a defensive battle, 29-26.
Each game tested their composure, and each time, they responded. What made this team special wasn’t just talent, it was togetherness.
“This group was incredibly close-knit and truly played for one another,” Stuckmeyer says. “They bought into our vision and embraced their roles. Their humility and hunger were really impressive.”
Even under pressure, the Trojans remained steady.
“They were consistent in everything they did,” he adds. “They did not waver. They showed great composure and grit when adversity hit.”
That consistency became the foundation of a perfect season.
Stuckmeyer pointed to key moments during the year that helped shape the team’s belief.
A championship run at the Carol Tumey Tournament gave the Trojans confidence they could win multiple high-level games in a single day, mirroring the demands of tournament play. Wins over quality opponents like Bloomington South and Hamilton Southeastern further reinforced that belief.
“At that point, I think our girls started to expect to win,” Stuckmeyer says. “They gained confidence that if they stayed connected and did it together, something special was possible.”
Leading the way was senior standout Gracyn Gilliard, who capped her remarkable career by being named 2026 Indiana Miss Basketball.
But for Stuckmeyer, Gilliard’s impact went far beyond statistics or accolades.
“Gracyn means the world to our program,” he says. “She represents everything we want Center Grove girls basketball to stand for: integrity, effort, discipline and doing whatever it takes to win.”
While her talent was undeniable, it was her leadership that set her apart.
“She simply has the ‘it’ factor,” Stuckmeyer says. “Even with all the recognition she received, she was always the first to give credit to her teammates. She carried herself with humility and grace, and that made a tremendous impact on our program and our community.”
As the celebration settled and the nets were cut down, the significance of the moment became clear. This wasn’t just a championship. It was a team that embraced every challenge, stayed true to its identity and represented Center Grove with pride.
“I hope this team is remembered as a group that truly did things the right way,” Stuckmeyer says. “They were consistent, disciplined and committed to each other. I hope people remember not just the championship, but how they represented Center Grove both on and off the court.”
A perfect season. A championship earned. And a legacy that will be remembered for generations.
On Top of the State: Trojans Capture First Team Wrestling Championship
For years, the Center Grove Trojans wrestling team had been knocking on the door. Close. Painfully close. Three consecutive runner-up finishes left a program hungry, driven and determined to finish the job. This time, they did.
When the final points were secured, and Center Grove officially captured its first team state championship — defeating two-time defending state champion Brownsburg 137-133.5 — the moment was filled with pure emotion and accomplishment.
“Just excitement and relief that we were able to finish the goal,” says head coach Maurice Swain. “We have been so close over the past three years, so finally completing it brought a major feeling of relief on top of excitement.”
The championship didn’t come easy. Brownsburg, a powerhouse program and back-to-back state champion, presented the ultimate challenge. Every match mattered. Every point counted. And in the end, it was a total team effort that made the difference.
“I feel like our overall program consistency played a huge part in our success,” Swain says. “Our athletes train year-round. They put the time in during the offseason, and it shows.”
Just as importantly, the coaching staff stayed the course.
“We did not panic or change anything after finishing runner-up the previous three seasons,” Swain says. “We knew our training progression was good; it was just about putting everything together at the right time.”
That time came during the state tournament series.
Throughout the season, the Trojans believed they had the potential to compete at the highest level. But it wasn’t until late in the postseason that confidence turned into expectation.
“After the regional, we felt like this team had a real shot at bringing home the title,” Swain says. “Our confidence continued to grow throughout the state tournament.”
That belief showed on the mat. Match after match, the Trojans delivered when it mattered most.
At the center of it all was senior standout Sean Breedlove, who capped off a perfect 38-0 season by capturing the 175-pound state championship, securing the decisive points that pushed Center Grove to the title.
Breedlove’s journey to the top wasn’t without adversity.
“Sean has had some tough breaks coming into this season,” Swain says. “I think coming up short of qualifying for state last year really motivated him.”
That motivation turned into dominance.
“He shows his leadership through his actions,” Swain says. “He’s a hard worker, just like many of our athletes, and we expect him to continue to be a leader moving forward.”
While Breedlove delivered a defining moment, the championship was built on contributions from across the lineup.
State runner-up performances from brothers Dominic Brown (126) and Daniel Brown Jr. (113), along with Peyton Hornsby (144), played a critical role in the team’s success.
“This season was all about the work we put in for each other,” Dominic Brown says. “I’m honored I got to be a part of it and will always be proud of what we built here.”
For the Brown family, the experience carried even deeper meaning.
Their sister, Aaliyah Brown, also reached the state finals in girls wrestling, helping to continue the program’s growth and representing something bigger than individual success.
“Being part of the growth of the women’s wrestling program has meant everything to me,” she says. “I’m proud to have helped open doors for the girls coming after me.”
Her brothers were right there with her every step of the way.
“Having my brothers and my teammates show up to support me meant everything,” she says.
For the Brown family, that support went beyond the mat. The trio embraced a shared theme throughout the season drawn from Ecclesiastes 4:12: “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
The verse became a reflection of their bond.
Each faced their own battles in competition, but none of them stood alone. Whether it was Dominic and Daniel cheering Aaliyah on at girls state or all three pushing each other through the intensity of the state tournament, their strength came from being connected.
Individually, they were strong. Together, they were unbreakable.
“That’s a memory I’ll carry forever,” she says.
That same bond mirrored the team’s identity, one built on trust, support and the belief that together they could overcome anything.
“This season was filled with lows and highs, but our team’s effort was consistent every day,” Hornsby says. “That’s the reason we got over the hump at state.”
Even in defeat, the focus remained on something bigger.
“The result isn’t in my control,” Hornsby says. “Only the attitude and effort I bring. I’ll forever be proud of this team.”
In the end, that attitude defined the 2026 Trojans.
“I want everyone to remember that winning the title was a complete team effort,” Swain says. “Every win mattered. Every point was needed.”
After years of coming close, Center Grove finally reached the top. Not just because of talent. But because of trust, consistency and a group that refused to let the moment pass them by.
Making Waves: Trojans Deliver Strong Finish at State
The Center Grove Trojans swimming and diving teams closed out the season with an impressive performance at the IHSAA state finals, highlighted by a fourth-place finish from the boys team at the IU Natatorium.
Leading the way was senior standout Henry Lyness, who earned two runner-up finishes in the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard backstroke, capping off a remarkable career.
“Henry is a true Trojan legend,” says head coach Brad Smith. “He has left his mark on the record boards and within the team culture. His impact will last for years.”
The Trojans showcased depth across the board. Matthew Cuadros placed third in the 100-yard breaststroke and added a seventh-place finish in the 200-yard individual medley. The 200-yard medley relay team of Lyness, Cuadros, Anthony Cuadros and Camron Mazdai earned third place, while Daythan Schramm finished fourth in diving.
Additional strong performances included a fifth-place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay and top-eight finishes from Mason Bridges and Moses Weaver in the 200 freestyle.
“The leadership of our senior boys made this a banner year,” Smith says. “We scored the most points at state, tied our highest finish and set four school records.”
On the girls side, Center Grove placed ninth overall, led by Averie Matern’s pair of seventh-place finishes and a seventh-place relay performance.
With a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent, the Trojans have built a strong foundation for continued success in the pool.
Closing a Chapter: Hahn’s Legacy Leaves Lasting Impact on Trojan Basketball
After 12 seasons leading the Center Grove Trojans boys basketball team, head coach Zach Hahn has retired from high school coaching, leaving behind a legacy as the most decorated coach in program history.
During his tenure, Hahn guided the Trojans to 176 wins, along with five sectional titles, two regional championships and seven county titles, setting the standard for success on and off the court.
But for Hahn, the wins were never the most meaningful part of the journey.
“Without a doubt, the most rewarding part of coaching was forming meaningful relationships,” Hahn says. “There is no greater sense of achievement than former players coming back, reaching out or watching them become successful young adults.”
That people-first approach shaped the program’s culture. In the locker room, a message remained constant: “What you give is yours; what you don’t is lost forever.”
“I hope they understand the importance of doing your absolute best in everything,” Hahn says. “How you do anything is how you do everything. Your character is much more important than your reputation.”
Hahn credits the Center Grove community for the program’s growth.
“Center Grove has been a blessing for my family,” he says. “We’re thankful for the support and look forward to staying connected to the program.”
A remarkable career and a legacy built on relationships.
