Indiana High School Basketball Sectionals: Pairings & Preview for 2026

EVANSVILLE, IN – The road to Indianapolis is now officially mapped for boys basketball teams across Southwestern Indiana. Sectional pairings were announced Sunday, setting the stage for tournament play beginning March 3.

The IHSAA boys basketball state tournament draw unfolded as expected, with several intriguing matchups taking shape across the region. The state finals are scheduled for March 28 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Class 4A at North

North High School will host a Class 4A sectional featuring a compelling first-round matchup between North (17-4) and Castle (7-15). The Huskies, considered the strongest team in the field, will look to avenge an earlier loss to the Knights. Reitz (10-9) and Harrison (11-9) will square off in the other opening-round game, setting up a potentially tight semifinal contest. Reitz narrowly defeated Harrison on February 13 by a score of two points, nearly surrendering a 16-point fourth-quarter lead, suggesting a rematch could be equally competitive.

Class 3A Showdowns

Washington High School will be the site for a Class 3A sectional. Washington (10-10) will face Vincennes Lincoln (10-13), while Jasper (12-8) will take on Gibson Southern (16-6). Princeton (4-18), despite a challenging season, received a favorable draw and will face the winner of the Washington-Vincennes Lincoln game. Southridge (12-10) will then battle the victor of the Jasper-Gibson Southern contest.

Boonville High School will host another Class 3A sectional. Bosse (13-8) and Central (8-13) will meet in the first round, with the winner advancing to face Memorial (8-12) in the semifinals. Mount Vernon (12-9) and Boonville (16-5) will compete on the other side of the bracket, while Heritage Hills (17-5) awaits the winner. Boonville and Mount Vernon are both strong contenders with records of 16 and 12 wins respectively.

Class 2A Brackets

North Knox will host a Class 2A sectional. Linton-Stockton (19-4) and Eastern Greene (12-9) will clash in a first-round game, while West Vigo (14-7) will face North Knox (6-14). South Knox (10-11) will then play the winner of the Linton-Stockton-Eastern Greene matchup, and Sullivan (16-6) will take on the victor of the West Vigo-North Knox game.

Forest Park will host a Class 2A sectional, but games will be played at Memorial Gymnasium in Huntingburg. Pike Central (3-19) will play Forest Park (9-13), and North Posey (7-14) will face Perry Central (8-14). Tell City (2-20) will compete against Mater Dei (12-8), and South Spencer (9-13) will play the winner of the Pike Central-Forest Park game.

Class 1A Contests

Loogootee will host a Class 1A sectional. Orleans (18-3), the defending state champion, received a favorable draw and will play Washington Catholic (0-20). Vincennes Rivet (6-14) will face Medora (12-10), while Loogootee (14-8) will take on Barr-Reeve (20-1). North Daviess (13-8) will play Shoals (7-14).

Wood Memorial will host a Class 1A sectional. Wood Memorial (14-7) will play Evansville Christian (8-13), and Day School (6-13) will face Cannelton (6-16). Springs Valley (7-13) will play Northeast Dubois (14-7), and Tecumseh (10-11) will take on the winner of the Wood Memorial-Evansville Christian game.

The sectional draws have created several compelling storylines and potential upsets. The next few weeks promise intense competition as teams battle for a chance to advance to the regional and ultimately compete for the state championship.