<p>When finishing second in the state as a team and as an individual qualifies as a disappointment, you know you’ve set your bar pretty high.</p>
<p>Noah Gillard’s high school golf career didn’t end the way he wanted it to, but after taking a step back from it all, the recently graduated Center Grove star is able to take pride in the legacy he’s leaving behind.</p>
<p>That legacy includes delivering the first team and individual state championships in program history a year ago. The Trojans won four straight regional titles during Gillard’s career and finished in the state’s top three each year.</p>
<p>As an individual, the 6-foot-7 Gillard placed in the top 10 at the state finals four times, including one championship and two runner-up finishes.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]
<p>Center Grove has firmly established itself as one of the state’s elite programs over these past four seasons, a testament to the talent and work ethic of Gillard and classmate Sam Jean, a fellow All-State performer.</p>
<p>"It’s been an incredible four years," Gillard said. "Me and Sam, I felt like, have definitely built a great program for the younger guys, and hopefully they can build upon that."</p>
<p>Gillard, meanwhile, will be taking his talents to the University of Illinois, where he’ll be putting all of his athletic efforts into golf for the first time.</p>
<p>He spent the past two winters playing for the Trojans’ varsity basketball team.</p>
<p>"It’ll definitely be a change not playing basketball, which I love," the 6-foot-7 Gillard said, "but I’m excited to compete at the D-I level and see where my coach takes me to."</p>
<p>Under coach Mike Small, the Fighting Illini have become about the only northern school consistently ranked in the nation’s top 20. The program has produced a number of pro players, including such notables as longtime PGA Tour standout Steve Stricker.</p>
<p>Gillard believes that everything in Champaign is lined up to give him a chance to make a career out of golf. Whether he can take advantage of the opportunity is up to him.</p>
<p>"It’ll be all on me to do that," he said.</p>
<p>And it’ll be on the Trojans to find a replacement for the most irreplaceable player they’ve ever had.</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="All-County team" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>The 2018 All-Johnson County team for boys golf:</p>
<p>Logan Anderson, Center Grove junior: Tied for 31st at state finals with a total of 156 … Fired a 71 at Center Grove Sectional, the second lowest score in the field … Tied for fourth at county with a 74.</p>
<p>Luke DeHaven, Center Grove junior: Helped Trojans win fourth straight regional title with a 73, second best score on the team … Tied for fourth at Johnson County championships with a 74</p>
<p>Damon Dickey, Franklin freshman: Earned individual medalist honors at Johnson County championship with a round of 70 … Third among individuals at Mid-State Conference tourney and at Center Grove Sectional.</p>
<p>Noah Gillard, Center Grove senior: Medalist in conference meet as well as Center Grove Sectional and Providence Regional … Lost playoff that would have made him first repeat state medalist since 1995.</p>
<p>Alex Heck, Center Grove sophomore: Tied for 20th at state finals with a total of 152, firing a final-round 73 to help Trojans finish second … Carded a 74 at Providence Regional.</p>
<p>Sam Jean, Center Grove senior: Illinois-bound star tied for 17th at state finals with a 151 total … Shot 71 at MIC tourney, 73 at Center Grove Sectional and 74 at Providence Regional.</p>
<p>Matt Jordan, Franklin senior: Finished second at Mid-State Conference championships with a 70 and tied for second at county with a 71 … Had a 72 to help Grizzly Cubs take second at sectional.</p>
<p><strong>Honorable mention</strong></p>
<p>Chris Ashmore, Greenwood; Chandler Donahue, Indian Creek; Isaac Ebeyer, Whiteland; Quin Edwards, Franklin; Bladen Hancock, Edinburgh; Javan Johnson, Franklin; Blake McIntire, Franklin; Zach Ricketts, Whiteland; Scott Russell, Indian Creek; Gabe Vessely, GCA; Trent Vislay, Greenwood</p>[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title="By the numbers" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>A look at how Noah Gillard and Center Grove fared at the state finals during his four years:</p>
<p><strong>Year;Score;Team finish;Ind. finish</strong></p>
<p>2015;145;2nd;T-9th</p>
<p>2016;139;3rd;2nd</p>
<p>2017;138;1st;1st</p>
<p>2018;145;2nd;T-1st (lost in playoff)</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
