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IHSAA girls basketball 3A sectional preview: Schedule, players to watch, picks

January 31, 2026
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It is sectional season for Indiana high school girls basketball. Let’s take a closer look at the Class 3A field.

Class 3A

∎ No. 1 team (IGSCA poll):Roncalli(21-3).

For a statewide perspective, tune into The Scorers Table!

Records current as of Friday night.

Sectional 24 at Yorktown

The skinny: This sectional is deep. Five teams rated inside the top-100 of the Sagarin Ratings as of Monday, all with at least 13 wins.

Team to beat: Connersville(15-7). The Spartans grabbed folks’ attention with a three-game run around Christmas that featured a come-from-behind 27-point win over Lapel, followed by wins against Borden and South Knox at Wings and Rings. They’ve also had close losses vs. Delta, New Palestine and first-round foe Hamilton Heights.

Ahniyah Bennett, a St. John’s track commit, is a phenomenal athlete who can jump out of the gym and is capable of turning a game on its head. She’s part of a well-rounded offensive attack that also includes Serenity Pennington, Kendyl Bottomley and Addison Jones, all of whom are also averaging 10-plus points per game. Kinzie Van Meter, a 5-9 forward, ranks second on the team in rebounds (six per game).

Sleeper: Hamilton Heights(14-6). At full strength, the Huskies probably qualify for the “next best” label — and they’re still right on the cusp. But this is a really deep sectional and HH is without starting point guard Bayleigh Eisele, who suffered a season-ending injury in January (though, to be fair, Stella Taylor has done a very good job filling in for her so far).

All that being said, Heights is on the precipice of what should be another multi-year run. They are loaded with freshman talent, led by Riley Suarez. Widely regarded as one of the best in her class, the 6-1 forward is a super smooth shooter and averages 22 points on 57% shooting (45% from 3) and six rebounds. Keying in on her is a risky tactic with Addison Blum (a tremendous 3-point shooter) and Zoey Curry (shooting 58% from the field) on the floor.

Heights beat first-round opponent Connersville by three earlier this season. It did not face potential semifinal foe Yorktown.

Pick: Jay Countyover Connersville. Hallie and Karsyn Schwieterman are special talents at Jay County, which wins its first sectional championship since 2006.

Sectional 25 at Lebanon

The skinny: The two best teams in this sectional square off in game one opening night, less than two weeks after their regular-season encounter. 

Team to beat: Brebeuf Jesuit(11-11). The Braves are 11-1 when they shoot at least 34% (they hit 14-plus field goals in 10 of those wins). They are 0-10 when they shoot below 33% (shot lower than 30% in eight of those losses). The one exception: A 60-55 loss to Purdue Poly, wherein they finished 19-for-43, but were outscored 21-12 in the fourth quarter. If shots aren’t falling, Brebeuf is in real trouble. 

Personnel-wise, the senior class headlined by Robyn Pate and Audra Kendall ended the program’s seven-game sectional losing streak last season and now has their sights set on securing the program’s first sectional championship since 2016. 5-11 guard Jailen Bowling is the game-changer here. She scored 14 points in an overtime win vs. first-round foe Guerin Catholic in the penultimate week, and had 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals vs. potential finals foe Tri-West earlier this season. 

Next best: Guerin Catholic(15-8). The Golden Eagles are extremely young with eight freshmen on the roster, six of whom are key pieces to the rotation. That youth can be a good thing this time of year and they got a taste of high-pressure varsity basketball in front of a sold-out gymnasium during that aforementioned OT game vs. Brebeuf Jesuit.

Cecilia Titus and Ella Horvath are both having excellent debut campaigns, averaging nine and eight points, respectively (Titus has also been good for three assists and three steals per game), but it’s Caroline Ford who really ties this group together. The 5-8 junior forward is the team’s second-leading scorer, leading rebounder and top defender, and has been playing varsity since her freshman year. 

Sleeper: Danville(6-17). Beware the Warriors in year one under Ella Collier. They have been without senior Maddie Wethington since Nov. 21, but are 3-0 within the sectional, boasting two wins over first-round opponent Tri-West and another vs. potential semifinal foe Lebanon. 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 also stepped up her game, pouring in more than seven points per game, plus four assists and four rebounds. Freshman Ellie Waits has been quietly heated up, averaging nine points through the first six games of January.

About Lebanon(9-12). Sophie Kyker, a 5-8 junior, is a well-rounded threat atop the Tigers’ lineup, clocking six points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals. She’s part of a very well-balanced offense that has four other players — Jade Mount, Ellie Cooper, Katie Boling and Ali Bir — averaging six-plus points. Bir, a junior, dishes out more than three assists per game. 

Sleeper II: Tri-West(12-10). Navigating Danville in the opening round is step one, but it’s difficult to beat a team three times and rivalry games can get weird. The Bruins have an experienced top-3 with Aniyah Anthony, Camryn Faires and Blair Benner, who are all averaging 9-15 points (38% shooters), 4-6 rebounds and at least two assists per game. Anthony, a 5-6 senior guard who recently committed to IU Columbus, has been Tri-West’s most-dependable and consistent scorer this season, and has been quietly heating up from 3 in recent weeks (10-for-15 against Beech Grove and Southmont).

Pick: Brebeuf over Danville. I thought about picking the Warriors here, but Brebeuf is healthy and found some momentum down the stretch. Pate and Kendall lead the Braves to their first sectional title since 2016. 

Sectional 26 at Shortridge

The skinny: There is a clear favorite, a worthy challenger, a sleeper and a sneaky contender in this sectional, which has a higher potential for parity than one might expect. 

Team to beat: Cathedral(16-6, game Saturday). This is one of coach Lisa Finn’s best offensive teams in recent memory. The Irish are averaging 50 points per game on 42% shooting with a 33% conversion rate from 3. Precious Anuka and Caroline Wiggins are the primary scorers, but the production has become more balanced as the season’s progressed with Maddy Watko, Tatum Triggs and Taylor Babington establishing themselves as steady contributors. The jump in offensive stats has not come at the expense of defense, either, with Cathedral allowing around 43 points per game.

The Irish enjoyed a 13-game win streak from the end of November through mid-January, and their run likely would’ve continued if not for a Jan. 20 game vs. 4A power Center Grove (lost, 49-36). 

Next best: Bishop Chatard(13-10). The Trojans’ season turned with a midseason mindset shift: Rather than trying to out-score their opponents, they focused on playing sound, physical defense. The return to their roots revitalized the team and they began finding their form in late December. The record may not grab your attention immediately, but Chatard played a top-50 schedule that included only two home games through the first two months — and they took Cathedral down to the buzzer in the City championship.

Olivia Berzai, Alyx Kendall and Betsy Tragesser lead this veteran outfit, which averages nearly 60 points per game and shoots 39% as a team. Chatard has done a much better job taking care of the ball in recent weeks, eliminating the turnovers that plagued it in losses to Crown Point, East Central and Westfield. 

Sleeper: Purdue Poly(X-X). If anyone is going to crash the S26 bracket, the Techies might be your best bet. Two of their losses came in overtime against quality competition (Guerin and Charlestown), and they played with Chatard in the City semifinals before allowing the Trojans to pull away late. Their production runs primarily through the junior trio of Te’Asia Briscoe, Ja’Nyiah Rogers and Amelia Story, who are averaging about 40 points, eight assists and eight steals per game combined. Story is shooting 58% from 3 for Purdue Poly, which shoots 56% from the field as a team. 

About Crispus Attucks(16-4): UCF commit Kamrah Banks commands your attention immediately. The 5-9 guard is super athletic and averaging 19 points, four rebounds and three steals. But there is depth beyond No. 3 that makes the Tigers dangerous in a tournament scenario. Three other players are averaging at least eight points per game, including Kenadi Banks, who’s the team’s most reliable shooter (and leader in assists), and Naomi Moses, who leads the way in 3-point shooting. Sevan Walls rounds out the top scorers at 8 ppg, while 6-2 freshman Zyah Jones (a name to know moving forward) is pulling in eight boards per game.

About Herron(0-15): Taylor Cotham is one to know for the Achaeans. She averaged 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists and six steals as a junior, and was off to a similarly well-rounded start to her senior season. Herron nearly knocked off Purdue Broad Ripple on Dec. 1, but fell four points short of their first win of the season. 

About Shortridge(15-6): The Blue Devils’ 15 wins are their most since 2012-13. They have a pair of players scoring in double figures: Kamariona Garrett (12 ppg) and Jocelyn Eskew (11 ppg). Both players have also been good for 5-6 rpg (second to Zamya Outlar’s 8 rpg for the team lead), and are two of four Shortidge players averaging at least two steals per game (Keara Stewart and Octavia Buchanan). 

Pick: Cathedral over Chatard. I’ve been toiling over this pick ever since the City championship game. Chatard has improved drastically since the beginning of the season. But the Irish’s offensive depth gives them an edge. They win an instant-classic over their cross-town rival.

Sectional 27 at Edgewood

Team to beat: Northview(15-6, game Saturday). The Knights are rated highest in RPI and have played the toughest schedule of the group. But they lost to potential finals opponent Edgewood earlier this season (Edgewood also lost to likely semifinal foe Cascade, though, so who knows). Carlee Schrader is averaging 18 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists for the defending sectional champions.

Sleeper: Cascade(12-10). This bracket sets up nicely for the Cadets, who beat first-round opponent Speedway and semifinalist Edgewood earlier this season. Senior Macey Pugh and sophomore Taylor Gibbs combined for 26 of the team’s 39 points in the four-point win vs. Edgewood, and have been Cascade’s top scorers throughout the season, both contributing around 14 ppg. They also lead the team in steals. 

Addy Thompson, the team’s point guard has been good for three assists and eight points per game, while Pugh, Izzy Guetig and Magnolia Hall anchor what has been a very good rebounding outfit (average nearly 30 boards per game as a team).

About Speedway(10-9): The Sparkplugs rebounded from a 4-6 start to the year with wins in six of their next seven, including an overtime triumph against Greenwood. Sophomore Madelynn Matelic (14 ppg, 9 rpg, 4 apg, 4 spg) and senior Hayli Clampitt (10 ppg, 51% FG, 8 rpg) have been the team’s most consistent scorers. They received a boost with the return of senior guard Macy DeLisle, who missed most of November and all of December.

About Washington (4-8): The Continentals have already matched last year’s win total.

Pick: Northview over Cascade

Sectional 28 at Rushville

The skinny: There is an obvious favorite here, but Roncalli’s road to another sectional championship will require navigating a Friday night clash with rival New Palestine. The other side of the bracket is a bit less predictable with no head-to-head meetings between the two favorites, Shelbyville and Indian Creek.

Team to beat: Roncalli(21-3). The Royals’ aspirations extend well beyond defending their sectional title. Their sights are set on a run to Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Roncalli enters the tournament on an 11-game win streak, with notable triumphs over Chatard, Brebeuf, Franklin Central, Greensburg, Franklin and New Palestine. Its last loss came in the Marion County championship game against No. 1 Pike, which it was competitive against entering the fourth quarter.

Elliot Leffler has taken massive strides in her development this season, expanding her bag as a scorer, while also maintaining a tough, physical presence on the glass. She’s the star of an otherwise very balanced lineup that has a variety of players capable of stepping up on any given night — see: Brennah Cerny, Reagan Turk, Catie Rosko, Lydia Stahley and Caroline Schoettle.

Next best/sleeper: New Palestine(14-8). The Dragons lost five games during a three-week stretch in January. But there were bright spots amidst the losses — they took 4A contender East Central to overtime on Jan. 17, then played Roncalli to a two-point decision the following Tuesday.

New Palestine averages less than 50 points per game (33% FG), but it’s generating nine steals per game and holding opponents to 43 ppg. Senior Sadey Hughbanks is a physical forward and the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, while Haven Flagle has continued her development as starting point guard. Brooklyn Crim, a 5-9 forward, is a very nice complementary piece to Hughanks on the glass, and seniors Kendra Moore and Gabrielle Brown have added depth offensively.

About Shelbyville(12-10): The Golden Bears scored a very nice win a couple weeks ago, blowing out Delta, 43-30. Seven players contributed points to that win, led by seniors Maddy Jones (19) and Hannah Baker (12, plus four assists and three steals). Those two – and fellow senior Savannah Collins — are all capable scorers, providing quality depth alongside 5-10 sophomore Jayla Ash, who’s improved both her productivity and efficiency as a shooter, and become more of a presence on the glass this season. 

The Golden Bears have yet to face Indian Creek this season, but beat Rushville by 10 in January. 

About Indian Creek(10-13). Ellie Oliver has doubled her point production from a season ago and formed a nice tandem with returning senior Alexa Sichting, who’s clocking a double-double per game at 14 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Reagan Ferris is building off a strong freshman campaign, adding 10 points, six rebounds and four assists for a group that averages more than 51 points per game on 38% shooting as a team. 

The Braves have played a difficult schedule with games against New Palestine, Center Grove, Franklin, Monrovia, Gibson Southern, Brebeuf and Triton Central.

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. 

BG holds wins over Indian Creek and Tri-West, plus 4A opponents Greenfield-Central and Southport, but got a tough first-round draw with Roncalli. It has cleared 13 wins in two of the past three seasons following a run of five straight seasons with 10 wins or fewer.

About Greenwood(1-21). 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.

Pick: Roncalli over Shelbyville. New Pal drags the Royals into overtime, but the defending sectional champs prevail, then roll through Shelbyville.

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen. Get IndyStar’s high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school girls basketball: Class 3A sectional preview 2026

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