The IHSAA girls basketball sectional brackets for the South Bend area have been officially released, setting the stage for a highly anticipated tournament season. The brackets were unveiled on Sunday, January 25, just nine days before the start of the competition on February 3. The tournament will continue through the end of February, with the state finals scheduled to take place on February 28 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Tournament Schedule Overview

Sectional play begins on February 3, followed by title games on February 7. One-game regionals are set for February 14, leading up to four-team semi-states on February 21. The final phase of the tournament includes two semifinals and a championship contest, with the state finals taking place on February 28.

The regional matchups will be determined after the sectional games conclude, with the semi-state pairings decided via a drawing on February 15. The locations for these regional games will also be announced following the completion of the sectional rounds.

Sectional Hosts and Regional Matchups

In Class 4A, the sectional hosts include Penn and Goshen. In Class 3A, Mishawaka Marian and Tippecanoe Valley will serve as hosts. LaVille is the host for Class 2A, while Morgan Township, Oregon-Davis, and Fremont will host the Class 1A sectionals.

Regional matchups for Class 4A will feature the Penn Sectional winner facing the Munster Sectional winner, and the Goshen Sectional winner competing against the Valparaiso Sectional winner. In Class 3A, the Marian Sectional winner will face the Calumet Sectional winner, while the Tippecanoe Valley Sectional winner will take on the Kankakee Valley Sectional winner.

For Class 2A, the LaVille Sectional winner will play the Wheeler Sectional winner. In Class 1A, the regional matchups will consist of the Morgan Township Sectional winner versus the Fremont Sectional winner, and the Oregon-Davis Sectional winner versus the North White Sectional winner.

Key Teams to Watch

Penn: A Dominant Force

Penn, ranked No. 14 in Class 4A, is a strong contender in their own seven-team sectional. Despite losing three key players to season-ending injuries, the Kingsmen are 19-3 overall and 5-0 against the sectional field. Their closest game was a 36-point victory. Led by freshman Jillian Sanderson and a formidable team defense, Penn is one of only two teams in the sectional with a winning record.

Warsaw and Northridge: A Potential Final

Warsaw, previously ranked No. 1, drew a bye in the five-team Goshen Sectional. The Tigers, led by Butler commit Joslyn Bricker, are a top seed in the bracket. Northridge, led by Lily Scholl, faces Concord in the sectional semifinals.

Saint Joseph and Fairfield: Long Roads Ahead

South Bend Saint Joseph and Fairfield both face long paths to the sectional title in Class 3A. Saint Joseph will face Plymouth in the first round, while Fairfield will take on Wawasee. Both teams will need to navigate challenging matchups to reach the final.

Bremen: A Favorite in Class 2A

Bremen, fresh off a Bi-County Tournament title, is a strong favorite in the Class 2A LaVille Sectional. The Lions, who are 20-1, will face either South Bend Career Academy or Winamac in the semifinals.

Marquette: A Tough Opening Game

Marquette Catholic, ranked No. 1 in Class 1A, will face Kouts in the sectional opener. The Blazers, who lost in the semi-state final in overtime last year, are 18-3.

Elkhart Christian Academy and Fremont: Strong Contenders

Elkhart Christian Academy, which advanced to the semi-state semifinal in 2025, will face North Judson in the Oregon-Davis Sectional. Fremont, ranked No. 2, is the favorite in their own sectional and is 20-2.

Detailed Bracket Information

Below are the full schedules for each sectional:

Class 4A, Sectional 3 at Penn

• Game 1: Feb. 3: 7 p.m.: Mishawaka (4-16) vs. South Bend Adams (9-8)
• Game 2: Feb. 4: 6 p.m.: LaPorte (9-11) vs. South Bend Washington (2-15)
• Game 3: Feb. 4: 7:30 p.m.: Penn (19-3) vs. Michigan City (2-16)
• Game 4: Feb. 6: 6 p.m.: South Bend Riley (8-14) vs. Game 1 winner
• Game 5: Feb. 6: 7:30 p.m.: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner
• Championship: Feb. 7: 7:30 p.m.: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner

Class 4A, Sectional 4 at Goshen

• Game 1: Feb. 3: 7 p.m.: Elkhart (14-7) vs. Goshen (0-21)
• Game 2: Feb. 6: 6 p.m.: Northridge (16-6) vs. Concord (10-11)
• Game 3: Feb. 6: 7:30 p.m.: Warsaw (22-2) vs. Game 1 winner
• Championship: Feb. 7: 7:30 p.m.: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner

Class 3A, Sectional 19 at Mishawaka Marian

• Game 1: Feb. 3: 6 p.m.: New Prairie (3-18) vs. Culver Academy (17-4)
• Game 2: Feb. 3: 7:30 p.m.: South Bend Saint Joseph (17-4) vs. Plymouth (9-11)
• Game 3: Feb. 6: 6 p.m.: John Glenn (17-5) vs. Game 1 winner
• Game 4: Feb. 6: 7:30 p.m.: Mishawaka Marian (10-10) vs. Game 2 winner
• Championship: Feb. 7: 6 p.m.: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner

Class 3A, Sectional 20 at Tippecanoe Valley

• Game 1: Feb. 3: 6 p.m.: Columbia City (14-7) vs. West Noble (7-12)
• Game 2: Feb. 3: 7:30 p.m.: Fairfield (14-6) vs. Wawasee (7-12)
• Game 3: Feb. 6: 6 p.m.: Tippecanoe Valley (15-5) vs. Game 1 winner
• Game 4: Feb. 6: 7:30 p.m.: NorthWood (9-12) vs. Game 2 winner
• Championship: Feb. 7: 7:30 p.m.: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner

Class 2A, Sectional 34 at LaVille

• Game 1: Feb. 3: 6 p.m.: South Bend Career Academy (4-12) vs. Winamac (15-6)
• Game 2: Feb. 3: 7:30 p.m.: Knox (6-15) vs. Jimtown (7-13)
• Game 3: Feb. 6: 6 p.m.: LaVille (7-12) vs. Game 1 winner
• Game 4: Feb. 6: 7:30 p.m.: Bremen (20-1) vs. Game 2 winner
• Championship: Feb. 7: 7 p.m.: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner

Class 1A, Sectional 49 at Morgan Township

• Game 1: Feb. 3: 6 p.m.: Michigan City Marquette Catholic (18-3) vs. Kouts (17-4)
• Game 2: Feb. 3: 7:30 p.m.: Westville (14-6) vs. Morgan Township (17-4)
• Game 3: Feb. 4: 6 p.m.: Bowman Academy (2-13) vs. Tri-Township (8-12)
• Game 4: Hammond S & T (2-8) vs. Washington Township (9-7)
• Game 5: Feb. 6: 6 p.m.: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
• Game 6: Feb. 6: 7:30 p.m.: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner
• Championship: Feb. 7: 7:30 p.m.: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner

Class 1A, Sectional 51 at Oregon-Davis

• Game 1: Feb. 3: 5:30 p.m.: Culver (14-5) vs. South Central (7-11)
• Game 2: Feb. 3: 7 p.m.: Oregon-Davis (8-12) vs. Triton (7-13)
• Game 3: Feb. 4: 5:30 p.m.: Argos (2-18) vs. Trinity Academy (10-7)
• Game 4: Feb. 4: 7 p.m.: Elkhart Christian Academy (16-4) vs. North Judson (14-7)
• Game 5: Feb. 6: 5:30 p.m.: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
• Game 6: Feb. 6: 7 p.m.: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner
• Championship: Feb. 7: 7 p.m.: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner

Class 1A, Sectional 52 at Fremont

• Game 1: Feb. 3: 7 p.m.: Lakeland Christian Academy (4-15) vs. Fremont (20-2)
• Game 2: Feb. 4: 6 p.m.: Lakewood Park Christian (8-11) vs. Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian (14-7)
• Game 3: Feb. 4: 7:30 p.m.: Bethany Christian (5-15) vs. Fort Wayne Canterbury (1-17)
• Game 4: Feb. 6: 6 p.m.: Hamilton (5-14) vs. Game 1 winner
• Game 5: Feb. 6: 7:30 p.m.: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner
• Championship: Feb. 7: 7:30 p.m.: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner