Central Indiana Class 3A Sectionals: Players to Watch and Predictions

IndyStar previewer Kyle Neddenriep opens Central Indiana Class 3A sectionals by tabbing Roncalli as the favorite with an explicit pick: "Pick: Roncalli over Shelbyville." The same IndyStar copy notes a tense sequence: "New Pal drags the Royals into overtime, but the defending sectional champs prevail, then roll through Shelbyville," framing Roncalli's path through a New Palestine test and a likely Shelbyville matchup.

Sectional logistics come from IHSAA material: "Class 3A Sectionals Dates: March 3-7, 2026." Admission is set at "Admission: $8 per session or $20 for all sessions," and IHSAA clarifies that "The second team listed in each game is the designated home team." Bracket fragments in the IHSAA release illustrate the G1/G2 winner format used across sites, with examples such as "16. Evansville North (4) G1: Evansville North vs. Castle. Fri G2: Evansville Reitz vs. Evansville Harrison. Fri Championship: G1 winner vs. G2 winner. Sat."

Danville is the sleeper pick despite a 6-17 overall record, with IndyStar labeling it bluntly: "Sleeper: Danville (6-17). Beware the Warriors in year one under Ella Collier." Danville has been without senior Maddie Wethington since Nov. 21 but is "3-0 within the sectional, boasting two wins over first-round opponent Tri-West and another vs. potential semifinal foe Lebanon." Individual production drives the sleeper case: "Jillian Conrad, a 5-10 sophomore, is averaging 12 points (36% 3-point shooter) and five rebounds, and was very good in both games vs. TW, totaling 36 points and 16 rebounds." Senior Allie Gunter has ramped up output, "pouring in more than seven points per game, plus four assists and four rebounds," while "Freshman Ellie Waits has been quietly heated up, averaging nine points through the first six games of January."

Beech Grove arrives with a 14-8 ledger and complementary pieces on both ends: "About Beech Grove (14-8). The Hornets have a nice 1-2 with Olivia Stowers and Harper Moore, both of whom are averaging around 12 points, six rebounds, and two steals. Sophomore Harmony Burks has emerged as a steady contributor, as well, tallying nine points and six rebounds per game." Beech Grove's résumé includes wins over Indian Creek and Tri-West plus upsets of 4A opponents Greenfield-Central and Southport, but the preview warns BG "got a tough first-round draw with Roncalli."

Greenwood's season has been a grind at 1-21, yet the Woodmen found a moment in January: "The Woodmen scored their first win with a 45-43 overtime triumph over Edinburgh on Jan. 12, but have come close in a few other outings this season: An OT setback vs. Speedway, a seven-point loss to Indian Creek." That fragile form sets Greenwood as a longshot in Section 28 and other central brackets SI aggregated in its feed, which lists multiple 3A sectional pages including "2026 Indiana (IHSAA) Boys Basketball 3A Section 28 Tournament - Greenwood Community."

IndyStar closes its central preview with the Roncalli-over-Shelbyville lean and a roster of storylines to watch: Danville's midsection surge with Jillian Conrad, Beech Grove's 1-2 scoring punch, and Greenwood's lone overtime win. For readers tracking brackets, the SI feed headline collects the IHSAA pages under "2026 Indiana High School Boys Basketball 3A Sectional Playoff Brackets, Schedule, Scores (IHSAA) - February 24, 2026." Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter, and follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.