Muncie Burris and Wapahani prevail in IHSAA East Central sectionals

Muncie Burris and Wapahani picked up gritty opening-round victories at Sectional 40, each surviving low-scoring affairs that set the tone for a tightly contested IHSAA girls basketball sectional week across East Central Indiana. Muncie Burris held Madison-Grant to 22 points in a 30-22 win, while host Wapahani outlasted Eastbrook 41-37 to move into the next round.

Those wins carry immediate implications for bracket dynamics in Class 2A: Burris’s ability to slow Madison-Grant and Wapahani’s late-game composure in a four-point margin both preserve their paths toward the sectional title and the regional on Feb. 14. The Muncie Star Press provided photo coverage and player notes for both games; for additional media and box-score details, contact Cade Hampton at cbhampton@muncie.gannett.com or via X @CadeHamp10.

Sectional week produced notable performances elsewhere around the region and state that illustrate how individual bursts can swing short playoff runs. At Bishop Luers, a third-quarter push keyed a comeback victory; “Luers overcame a halftime deficit with the help of 10 third quarter points from Campbell Glenn; she finished with 13 in the win. Harvest Green led Luers with 15 points,” OutsideTheHuddle reported. Whitko leaned on Jayma Stonebraker, as “Jayma Stonebraker scored 21 points to lead the Wildcats.” In a different bracket, Leo opened the second half to pull away — “Leo held just an 18-15 advantage at the half before breaking it open in the third quarter. Stella Schelm led Leo with 16 points while Leah Shappell added 14. Garrett was paced by 10 points from Emma Coffman.” East Noble’s balanced attack also showed up in the box score: “East Noble had three in double figures, led by Rian David’s 16 points. Averi Amstutz added 11 and Shaye Ritchie scored 10 for the Knights, while Angola was led by Kendall VanderWal’s 18 points. Angola got out to a 5-0 lead early,” according to OutsideTheHuddle.

Across Central Indiana, higher-class sectionals already produced decisive scores, including Pendleton Heights 60, Mt. Vernon 39 and Greenfield-Central 50, Muncie Central 13 in Class 4A. Those results underscore how sectionals can swing between defensive struggles and offensive explosions, depending on matchups and player form.

As the bracket tightens, the statewide timeline remains clear: “Sectional tournaments will tip off around the state on Tuesday, Feb. 3, with sectional championships set for Saturday, Feb. 7. Regionals will follow on Saturday, Feb. 14, with semi-state tournaments set for Saturday, Feb. 21. The four state championship games will be played Saturday, Feb. 28, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse,” the Muncie Star Press noted. Fans can follow live scoring coverage through local media outlets; IndyStar’s Scorers Table will livestream following Tuesday’s games on its YouTube channel.

For East Central Indiana supporters, Burris and Wapahani’s wins are validation of program depth and preparation heading into the knockout rounds. The coming days will show whether those defenses hold up and which shooters step forward when sectional intensity spikes.