It was as if the Norwell girls basketball team was walking through a museum the first time they played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in 2024. They took so many pictures, senior guard Macie Saalfrank laughed, and were in awe of basically everything.

Only a couple photos were taken upon the Knights’ return to Indianapolis last season, and Saalfrank and teammate Vanessa Rosswurm suspect even fewer will be taken in the time leading up to Saturday’s Class 4A state championship vs. Center Grove.

This is a business trip, they agreed, a unique (and exclusive) perspective afforded Norwell by its current run of three straight semistate championships.

“It’s a big stage, but you can’t let it overwhelm you,” Saalfrank said. “You have to let it motivate you. … We’re focusing on our end goal, but still taking it all in at the same time.” 

“This is almost normal for us, because three out of our four years, we’ve been here,” Rosswurm added. “We’re very fortunate (and) are super grateful, but like Macie said, we’re focused on taking care of business and why we’re here — to win a state championship and do what’s never been done before (win 3A and 4A titles in consecutive seasons).”

What’s become tradition for the Knights is brand new for Center Grove. Two years removed from a run to the 4A state semifinals, these Trojans have embraced the challenge of going undefeated and, despite that 28-0 record, have been relatively under-the-radar, never rising to the top-ranking in either poll.

Coach Kevin Stuckmeyer has them prepare for everything, freshman point guard Lillia Tapak said. He even had the players run onto the Gainbridge floor during Wednesday’s shootaround so they are comfortable with where they’re supposed to go and have one less thing to worry about on game night.

An incredible level of attention to detail.

“We’ve got it down now … (and) it does take a little bit of the anxiety away,” Tapak said.

“We can expect (Stuckmeyer) to also give 120% this week. He’s just as locked in as we are,” junior MacKenzie Pierce added. “All the coaches do everything they can to make sure we’re prepared and give us the best chance. (Stuckmeyer) takes practices more seriously than anyone I’ve ever met, and that’s a lot of why we have as much success as we do.”

The contrast in state championship game experience serves as the backdrop to what promises to be an excellent game. 

Center Grove and Norwell are both elite at what they do, particularly on the defensive end, but what they do is so different from one another.

Norwell runs a ferocious 1-3-1 that coach Eric Thornton adopted from Noblesville coach Donna Buckley. He has made modifications over the years and runs a few variations that opponents must account for, but the base of this iteration is elevated by the personnel.

The Knights are super athletic and very long. The 5-foot-10 Rosswurm plays at the top, the 6-1 Isabella Swineford or the 5-11 Alivia Green occupy the middle, and at the base is 5-7 senior Addison Norris, whose bulldog mentality makes her a perfect fit for that spot. On the wings is usually a combination of Macie Saalfrank and either Jada Dale or Ashley Waldman.

Most (if not all) of these girls grew up playing Thornton’s 1-3-1 in the Norwell youth program. 

It is second nature to them.

Whereas Norwell’s players were raised to play Thornton’s defense, the Center Grove girls have completely bought into Stuckmeyer’s system and embraced their respective roles on this team. The result? A virtually impenetrable switching pack-line, helmed at all times by five players capable of defending one-on-one and staying in front of their opponent.

“They don’t do anything to keep you from going east and west, they just don’t let you go north and south,” observed Plainfield coach Curt Benge, who coached against both 4A finalists this season. “They’re not easy to get past.”

Rundown of tonight’s 3A/4A preview show!

📺: https://t.co/nRlK72062Qpic.twitter.com/Em8yHVeNqI

— hank 🇰🇷 (@Brian_Haenchen) February 26, 2026

Here are a few other storylines:

An elite coaching matchup

Truly two of the very best at their craft going head-to-head here.

Center Grove is fairly set in its system (understandably, it’s really good). But I am fascinated to see what (if any) unique curveballs Thornton may have for the Trojans. Might they mix in some box-and-1 against Gracyn Gilliard? 

For what it’s worth, Pendleton Heights tried a triangle-and-2 with the two chasing Gilliard during the regional championship. It wasn’t super effective. 

Gracyn Gilliard vs. Vanessa Rosswurm

We close out the 2025-26 season with two of the top-3 performers during this year’s state tournament going head-to-head. How awesome is that? Both Gilliard and Rosswurm have been virtually unstoppable during their respective runs, and it’s only fitting we get to see them collide at Gainbridge.

(In case you were wondering, Jennings County senior Mollie Ernstes is the other top performer.)

Who steps up beyond the leaders?

Saalfrank is an easy answer for Norwell. She’s averaging nearly 16 points on 42% shooting (48% from 3) this season and has been producing at just as high a level as Rosswurm this month. Dale is another one worth monitoring on the defensive end.

It’s basically the dealer’s choice with Center Grove. Everyone is so good within their roles and has made big-time contributions during the Trojans’ run to Gainbridge. For this game, I’ll spotlight 5-11 sophomore Haley Wagoner. She’s consistently scoring 8-9 points per game this month and was really important to breaking Lawrence Central’s press in the semistate championship game, slipping behind the defense for a few easy baskets.

No. 3 Center Grove (28-0) vs. No. 6 Norwell (25-4)

WHEN: Saturday, 8:15 p.m.

HOW TO WATCH: IHSAA.tv ($20 per game or $25 for all four)

COACHES: Center Grove — Kevin Stuckmeyer (9th year, 186-49); Norwell — Eric Thornton (29th year, 500-202)

SERIES: First meeting

STATE FINALS: Center Grove — 2 (1996*, 2026); Norwell — 4 (1977 – lost in semifinal, 2024, 2025*, 2026)

TEAM STATS: Center Grove — 56.9 ppg (46% FG / 36% 3FG / 69% FT), 34.9 ppg allowed, 21.6 rpg, 10.6 apg; Norwell — 65.6 ppg (38% FG / 36% 3FG / 67% FT), 39.4 ppg allowed, 34.7 rpg, 13.2 apg

PREDICTION: I’ve been mulling this one over since both games went final Saturday night, and have been talking through it with coaches from around the state all week. And yeah, I still have no idea. Perimeter shooting will be really important for Norwell (see: Franklin Central in the sectional final); taking care of the ball and limiting turnovers will be key for Center Grove … obviously. Center Grove 50, Norwell 49 (2OT)

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar’s high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA girls basketball: Class 4A state final preview, prediction center grove norwell