IHSAA Girls Sectionals Begin Feb. 3 Leading to Feb. 28 State Finals

Sectional tournaments across Indiana kicked off Feb. 3, delivering decisive opening-night results and setting the march toward the four state championship games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Feb. 28. For fans who follow high school hoops for local rivalries and future college prospects, the first round separated teams that will ride momentum into Friday semifinal slots from those left to regroup for next season.

Pendleton Heights opened with a 60-39 victory over Mt. Vernon (Fortville), while Greenfield-Central throttled Muncie Central 50-13, a result clarified after an initial truncated report. East Central crushed Columbus East 53-16 in Sectional 14, and in Sectional 24 Jay County beat New Castle 55-46 as Connersville handled Hamilton Heights 50-30. Central Indiana also produced lopsided and close games alike: Cathedral hammered Herron 65-3, Shortridge edged Bishop Chatard 57-55, and Brebeuf Jesuit outlasted Guerin Catholic 61-52 in overtime. Those scores highlight which rosters have depth and which will need late-game poise to survive the bracket.

Semifinal pairings already have dates and times: in Sectional 9 at Pendleton Heights, Richmond meets Pendleton Heights at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by Anderson vs. Greenfield-Central at 7:30 p.m. In Yorktown’s Sectional 24, Delta faces Jay County at 6 p.m. and Yorktown meets Connersville at 7:30 p.m. Across multiple sectionals the standard G1-G4 bracket produces Friday semis and Saturday championships, with all times listed in Eastern. For a statewide sense of scale, MaxPreps counted 96 girls games on opening night, underscoring how many athletes and communities are engaged in the postseason.

The IHSAA’s bracket structure and historical records frame the competition beyond single-game drama. The association’s all-time consecutive state-tournament victory list is a reminder of sustained excellence, with Heritage Christian’s 31 straight wins atop the ledger. The IHSAA also continues to apply a Tournament Success Factor that places some programs in higher classes; current examples include South Bend Washington, Gibson Southern, Norwell, and Lanesville playing up one class this season. Those structural moves affect competitive balance and the business of high school athletics, influencing travel, gate revenue, and exposure for athletes seeking college opportunities.

Local narratives add texture. The Muncie Star Press noted, “The IHSAA girls basketball state tournament is upon us.” It also asked whether East Central Indiana’s recent champions can repeat: “Last season saw two East Central Indiana teams win sectional championships — Delta in Class 3A and Monroe Central in Class 1A. Will the Eagles or Golden Bears go back-to-back, or will new sectional champions emerge from the area?” That question captures why sectionals matter beyond a win-loss line: these tournaments are community focal points that showcase coaching development and player pathways.

What comes next is clear on the calendar: sectional championships Saturday Feb. 7, regionals Feb. 14, semi-state Feb. 21, and the state finals Feb. 28 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. For live scoreboard updates and East Central Indiana coverage, follow the Muncie Star Press scoreboard maintained by Cade Hampton at @CadeHamp10. The postseason pace quickens this week; expect bracket-busting performances and bubble players to define which teams advance toward Indianapolis.