<p>Some things, as the saying goes, are better left unsaid.</p>
<p>That’s the approach the Center Grove boys golf team is taking in its bid for the IHSAA state championship.</p>
<p>Apart from declaring it a goal early in the season, the Trojans haven’t discussed the state finals — a stark contrast from last season, when winning state was the center of team conversation.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]
<p>“To be honest with you, we haven’t even talked about it, which is different from last year,” Center Grove coach Jim Williams said. “We’ve just quietly gone about our business.</p>
<p>“Last year, we talked about it several times. This year, we’re just kind of downplaying it.”</p>
<p>The idea is to avoid last year’s fate.</p>
<p>Ranked No. 1 heading into the 2015 state finals, the Trojans started poorly on Day 1, made a spirited run on Day 2 but finished four strokes behind eventual champion Westfield.</p>
<p>This time, the Trojans are again ranked No. 1 heading into the state meet, but they aren’t talking up their chances.</p>
<p>They’re letting their performance do their talking.</p>
<p>“We all feel good about it and we’re ready to go,” said sophomore Sam Jean, who shot a team-low 71 at last week’s Providence Regional. “We just want to play.”</p>
<p>Projected frontrunners once again, the Trojans take nothing for granted in a field that includes state powers Wesftield, Zionsville, West Lafayette Harrison and Bloomington South.</p>
<p>Still, they like their chances — even if they don’t say much about it.</p>
<p>“I think they believe they can win with the scores they’ve been posting,” Williams said. “The goal is to go out and play golf and hopefully win the state tournament this time.</p>
<p>“The kids are playing with confidence.”</p>
<p>Blessed with arguably the best depth in the state, the Trojans consistently shoot under 300 for 18 holes and are coming off sectional and regional championships.</p>
<p>Moreover, they are quite familiar with Prairie View. Two of their top players, junior Ethan Shephard and sophomore Noah Gillard, were in last year’s starting lineup at Prairie View, and the team played in a couple of invitationals there this spring.</p>
<p>Center Grove plans to practice there today. The two-day state finals are Tuesday and Wednesday.</p>
<p>“We definitely have thought about (winning) it. It’s in the back of our minds,” Jean said. “The depth of our team really helps.</p>
<p>“If one person’s having an off day, we have other people that can play well.”</p>
<p>Depth and consistency have carried the Trojans so far. They are confident it will carry them to the top.</p>
<p>But this time, they aren’t saying so.</p>
<p>“Last year, it seemed like it got so far out of hand,” Williams said. “This year we’ve tried to down-play it as much as possible, just approach it from that standpoint and be low-key about it.</p>
<p>“It still comes down to the fact that you have to go out and play.”</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="If you go" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>What: IHSAA Boys Golf State Finals</p>
<p>Where: Prairie View Golf Club, 7000 Longest Drive, Carmel</p>
<p>Day 1: 8 a.m. Tuesday</p>
<p>Day 2: 8 a.m. Wednesday</p>
<p>Admission: $12 per person; ticket good for both days</p>
<p>Local teams: Center Grove</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
