Indiana
IHSAA football sectional pairings takeaways: Early showdowns, tough draws, new champs
The path to Lucas Oil Stadium is set.
The Indiana High School Athletic Association unveiled the football sectional draw Sunday night for the 52nd annual tournament presented by the Indianapolis Colts. The first round sectional games for Class 4A through Class A are set for Oct. 25, with 5A and 6A to begin the following week. The state finals for all six classes will be played Nov. 29 and 30 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
IHSAA football sectional draw: Check out the 2024 tournament pairings
What we learned from Week 8: On Lawrence North, Cascade, surprises
Here are 10 takeaways from the sectional draw:
Big-time matchups in 6A
There might not be the major league showdown last year like there was last year when Brownsburg played Ben Davis in the first round, but there are some good ones. Three of the best:
∎ Franklin Central at Columbus North, Sectional 8: Franklin Central (5-2) has been one of the hottest teams in the class with wins the past two weeks over Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern and a four-game winning streak overall. Coach Jayson West’s Flashes are guaranteed of having a winning season for the first time since joining the Hoosier Crossroads Conference in 2018. Can Franklin Central get through No. 9 Columbus North (7-1) and get a shot at No. 7 Center Grove (5-3)?
∎ Lawrence North at Lawrence Central, Sectional 6: Beating a rival twice is always tough. Class 6A fourth-ranked Lawrence North (8-0) has proved itself against the toughest teams on its schedule with decisive wins over Ben Davis, Warren Central and Center Grove the past three weeks. But the Wildcats had to hold on in Week 1 for a 33-26 win over Lawrence Central. The Bears (3-5) are capable of making it tough for the Wildcats.
∎ Carmel at Zionsville, Sectional 3: Hard to believe but Carmel (3-5) has not won a sectional since 2020. Zionsville (3-5) won one sectional title in 6A in 2019 with wins over Pike and Brownsburg. Carmel has been struggling in recent weeks, losing four of five. Zionsville has dropped three in a row after a promising start. These programs have never met in tournament play. Third-ranked Westfield (7-1) will likely be waiting on the other side of the bracket.
Sectional 5 could still go through Ben Davis
If top-ranked Brownsburg (8-0) can win at Avon (2-6) in the first round of Sectional 5, the Bulldogs could be headed back to defending 6A champion Ben Davis for the sectional championship game.
Ben Davis (3-5) will have to win at an improved Pike (5-3) in the first round. After a 1-5 start, Ben Davis has won two in a row over Carmel and Lawrence Central by a combined 48 points. The Giants rallied last year from an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Brownsburg 28-25 in the first round of the sectional, then go on to win the state title.
Ben Davis and Brownsburg did not meet during the regular season. The Giants lost to Avon in overtime, but beat Pike 38-14. Brownsburg handled Avon 45-15 after a slow start.
A wide-open Sectional 4
Hamilton Southeastern (5-3), the two-time defending sectional champion, might still be the team to beat in Sectional 4. But it seems like a smaller margin than it has been. Despite its record, Noblesville (2-6) could be a sleeper pick. The Millers battled top-ranked Brownsburg into the fourth quarter on Friday before losing 22-18 and have lost five games by a touchdown or less, including a 28-21 loss to HSE in Week 7. Fishers (4-4) beat HSE 37-35 in Week 4.
Fishers plays at Noblesville and HSE is at Homestead (4-4).
A showdown in Class 4A
Bishop Chatard, the 3A state champion in 2022 and ’23, will attempt to win its first state title in 4A this season. The 4A third-ranked Trojans (6-1) will start with Crispus Attucks (5-1) in Sectional 22 and then play the winner of Mooresville (3-5) and Shortridge (2-5).
More of the intrigue in Sectional 22 will be on the bottom half of the bracket, where high-scoring No. 8 Brebeuf Jesuit (6-2) will host Danville (7-1) and Roncalli (3-4) hosts Northview (7-1). Chatard beat Brebeuf 58-35 in the opener and defeated Roncalli 9-3 in Week 3.
The Danville-Brebeuf game should be fun. Danville’s only loss came in Week 1 to 3A state-ranked Gibson Southern. Brebeuf, averaging more than 48 points per game, is putting up video game numbers every (non-hurricane weather) week.
A loaded local 5A sectional
The two teams to make it to the state finals the past two years from the bottom half of the 5A bracket will meet in the first round of Sectional 13.
Whiteland (3-4) is at fourth-ranked Decatur Central (5-2) in a rematch of a game the Hawks won 42-29 in Week 3. Decatur Central reached the state finals last year, losing to Fort Wayne Snider. Whiteland was the 5A entry two years ago, falling to Valparaiso.
Sitting on the other side of the four-team sectional is No. 5 Plainfield (7-1), which will play winless Anderson.
A great route for Martinsville
One of the stories of the season has been 4A second-ranked Martinsville (8-0), which ran into the freight train of East Central in the sectional each of the past three seasons. But East Central is now playing up in 5A and Martinsville has a much more favorable sectional this season in Sectional 23.
The Artesians will open at home against Charlestown (1-7) and then play the winner of Silver Creek (3-5) and Connersville (2-6) in the semifinal. The next-best team in the eight-team field is probably Greenwood (2-6). This is a good year for Martinsville to break a sectional title drought that dates to 1996. The Artesians can really sling with quarterback A.J. Reynolds and receiver Hunter Stroud.
I like Martinsville to make the semistate.
A murderer’s row in 3A sectional
How about Class 3A Sectional 32. Wow.
No matter how you slice it, Sectional 32 was going have some heavyweight matchups in the first round with four top-10 teams in the field. No. 1 Evansville Memorial (8-0) will play at seventh-ranked Evansville Mater Dei (7-1) in a rematch of a game Memorial won 41-13 in Week 4. Also, No. 2 Heritage Hills (7-1) will play at No. 6 Gibson Southern (6-2) in the bottom half of the bracket.
Southridge (6-2) is another team to watch in the sectional.
The path for Lutheran
Coach Dave Pasch’s Lutheran team, the three-time defending champion in Class A, is playing in Class 2A for the first time and will be one of the favorites to compete for a state championship. The 7-1 Saints, who saw their 45-game winning streak snapped by Triton Central earlier this season, will host sixth-ranked Heritage Christian (6-2), arguably the next-best team in the seven-team sectional, in the first round of Sectional 37.
The other top contender in Sectional 37 is Monrovia (6-2), which is hosting Scecina (3-5) on the top half of the bracket. Lutheran is 4-0 against the sectional field, including a 49-14 win over Monrovia. The Saints have not played Heritage Christian.
Tough draw for Western Boone
Western Boone, the Class 2A state champion three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020, is playing in 2A again after three years of playing up in 3A. The fourth-ranked Stars (7-1) are a contender to make a deep run but did not receive a favorable draw in Sectional 34. The first-round matchup is against North Putnam (7-1) with top-ranked Lafayette Central Catholic (7-1) awaiting in the sectional semifinal.
Lafayette Central Catholic, an eight-time state champion in Class A, won a regional for the first time last year in 2A before falling to Fort Wayne Luers in the semistate. This is a sectional with not a lot of familiarity; LCC, Western Boone and North Putnam have not played one another.
Odds and ends
There are guaranteed to be at least five new state champions this season with Fort Wayne Snider (moving up from 5A to 6A), East Central (4A to 5A), Bishop Chatard (3A to 4A), Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (2A to 3A) and Lutheran (A to 2A) all moving up after winning state championships via the tournament success factor. … There are 312 teams entered in the tournament. … Chatard has the most state championships in tournament history with 17, followed by Cathedral (14) and Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (12). … In addition to the five teams listed above playing up through the tourney success factor, Adams Central (2A), Cathedral (6A) and Lafayette Central Catholic (2A) are also playing up. … Lutheran has the longest active tournament winning streak with 17. … No. 1 New Palestine (7-0) will open Class 4A Sectional 21 at home against Mt. Vernon (4-4). Greenfield-Central (6-2) is on the other side of the bracket.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.
Indiana
Indiana’s beloved Ice Cream Social returns to Monument Circle, sweetening support for youth sports
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH)— On July 16, the familiar and much-anticipated scent of fresh ice cream will once again fill the air at Monument Circle for the American Dairy Association Indiana’s 37th annual Ice Cream Social. Starting at 10 a.m., this cherished community event holds significance deeper than dessert, as it marks the second year the festivities will directly benefit Indiana Sports Corp.
Local media personalities, mascots and community leaders—dubbed the Community All-Stars—will scoop up joy alongside Indiana residents, serving ice cream sundaes across four lively tents.
For a $5 donation, attendees will savor classic sundaes crafted from Indiana’s rich dairy, complemented by bottled water available for $1. All the proceeds and tips collected journey straight to Indiana Sports Corp, fueling its ongoing mission to inspire communities statewide through sports and create life-changing opportunities for Indiana’s youth.
Behind every scoop is a story of perseverance and sustainability. The American Dairy Association Indiana is a not-for-profit organization fueled by the dedication of Indiana’s dairy farm families. Notably, 94 percent of these farms are family-owned, sustaining local traditions as well as the economy.
These farms embrace stewardship by weaving sustainable practices into their operations. Since 2007, Indiana dairy farmers have achieved remarkable environmental milestones—reducing land use by 21 percent, water consumption by 30 percent, manure production by 20 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 19 percent.
Farmers’ respect for the land extends to growing crops specifically to nourish their cows and wisely recycling manure to fertilize those same crops, creating a sustainable agricultural loop that benefits the environment and community alike.
Brooke Williams, director of communications for ADAI, said the collaboration’s spirit reflects the organization’s core values: “The Ice Cream Social beautifully ties together our commitment to youth wellness, sustainable farming and community support.
Indiana Sports Corp’s work amplifies those values by fostering opportunities for young people through sports. We’re proud to serve a sweet treat that gives back to the communities that nurture us.”
This summer’s Ice Cream Social at Monument Circle is more than an indulgence—it’s a celebration of Indiana’s farming heritage, community spirit and shared aspirations for youth empowerment. By participating, Hoosiers not only enjoy a delicious treat but also contribute to the growth and vitality of their local sports programs, nurturing the state’s future champions both on and off the field.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026
- Time: 10 a.m.
- Location: Monument Circle, Indianapolis
- Donations: $5 for ice cream sundae | $1 for bottled water
- Beneficiary: Indiana Sports Corp
- Featured Guest: Brooke Williams, director of communications, ADAI
About American Dairy Association Indiana Inc. American Dairy Association Indiana Inc. (ADAI) is a not-for-profit promotion, communication and nutrition education organization funded by and serving Indiana dairy farm families. ADAI champions a thriving dairy community by promoting dairy products and farming while working alongside farmers to find innovative solutions and make positive impacts on consumers and communities.
One sport has long been considered synonymous with Indiana.
It brings families and communities together. It sparks bonds that shine in small towns where it is the centerpiece and everything else revolves around it.
In 49 states, call it basketball. But this is Indiana. So, what better way to kickstart the 250th anniversary of the United States of America than to understand the origins of a sport that holds great significance in the Hoosier State.
As the country industrialized from its agricultural roots, spectator sports grew in popularity. The opportunity was there to introduce basketball as a competitive sport. A sport not in need of many players to occupy the winter months? That was perfect for Indiana.
By 1911, the Indiana High School Athletic Association introduced basketball in a regulated form.
The rest, as they say, was history.
The origin story of Indiana high school basketball
Basketball is a sport that has long brought unity to communities across the state. And perhaps nothing depicts that relationship better than the 1986 movie Hoosiers.
Some of the biggest high school gyms, a few holding over 8,000 people, reside in Indiana. Ron Newlin, author of Legacy and Legend: The History and Mythology of Basketball in Indiana and former director of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, said the reason the large gyms were built was to accommodate for the growing public interest surrounding the IHSAA state tournament.
“For years, kids were playing basketball against each other during the regular season and there was no state tournament,” Newlin said. “After a couple years of resistance, (the IHSAA) decided to embrace the idea of having a state tournament. Having a gym big enough to host was what really kicked it in.”
Initially, most of the state champions were all within close proximity of each other in small towns near Central Indiana. And schools that had bigger gyms were given the advantage of having byes in the postseason because they were tournament hosts.
The rest of Indiana found it difficult to compete with this. But over time, schools caught up.
In 1943, Bosse became the first Evansville team to win a state title, led by Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame coach Herm Keller.
And while the goal at the end of the season is to be the last team standing, perhaps even more invaluable is the forming of relationships that come with this great game. Ones that will last far beyond a kid’s four years of high school basketball.
No medal can beat it. This game is bigger than what happens on the court.
Bosse’s mark in history
Much of Indiana’s basketball history revolves around the action up north, but allow Evansville to enter the conversation — and Bosse to be the program to lead it.
Current Bulldogs coach Shane Burkhart is approaching his 19th season leading the group. He has experienced triumphs at sectionals, regionals and semi-state.
Inside Bosse Gym, you get a sense of what the program has been about, even on a quiet offseason day in May. It becomes clear the program has winning history when you assess the names who have put on a Bulldogs jersey.
Bryna Jerrel, Jalen Pendleton, JaQuan Lyle, Kiyron Powell, Mekhi Lairy. High-level talent, multiple Trester Award winners and a plethora of names beyond those five.
At nearly 300 career wins, Burkhart is the all-time winningest coach in Bosse history. It is quite the resume.
At least in the Evansville area, this is the bar that has been set.
“I’ve been blessed with a lot of really good players and coaches,” Burkhart said. “I had four assistant coaches (this year) who were former players. Wanting to come back just means that the culture that we’ve built together really means something to them as well. It’s not just words that we say during their four years.”
Bosse’s success extends beyond Burkhart’s tenure. The program won two state championships in the 1940s and its third in 1962. Pair that with a successful stretch in the 1980s, and the Bulldogs have a history of winning.
But being from Marion, winners of an IHSAA record eight state championships, there was a cultural difference for Burkhart to realize at Bosse. He wanted the program to be diverse in a meaningful way for the area.
“That’s not taking away from anything Bosse has done in the past, it’s about trying to update it to where we are now,” Burkhart said.
The Marion Giants
Marion’s basketball history is as rich as any other in the state. The small town north of Indianapolis thrived during the single-class era of Indiana high school basketball. Burkhart, who grew up during the Purple Reign era where Marion won three-straight state titles in the 1980s, calls it the mecca.
“I was at the game, sitting at the top of the rafters with 9,000 people in the stands,” Burkhart said. “You don’t hear anything about anyone else because it’s Marion, this is supposed to be the top.”
Burkhart’s earliest memories of Marion basketball came when he was 10 watching Nikkie Mallory and Jay Teagle star for the 1985 state championship winning team.
He remembers the emotions each game brought to the community, how loud the energy inside the arena was. Marion’s gym remains one of the biggest in the country with a capacity over 7,500.
Indiana is home to 10 of the 12 largest high school gyms in the country. Marion’s Bill Green Arena, named after the Giants’ legendary coach, is among those.
“It’d be 35 degrees outside, but you could not wear heavy clothes inside the gym because you did nothing but sweat,” Burkhart said. “It was so hot because there were so many people.”
Marion’s eight state championships are tied for the most all time. The Giants have had eras of dominance that go as far back as the 1920s.
Burkhart described the urge he had to want to run around with the other kids while he was at the gym, Instead, his dad kept him by his side watching Marion go to work. Maybe not as fun for a kid, but still an element of excitement given the product on the court.
“When (Marion) would get to semi-state, you would make your reservation a year in advance because you knew you were coming back,” Burkhart said. “It was a cockiness, but we were also that good.”
Burkhart was a three-sport athlete in high school (baseball, football and soccer). His involvement with competitive basketball began in coaching. His career eventually found its way to Evansville in 2008 – pushing the limits with Bosse ever since.
The cultural difference
In the city of Marion, basketball was everything. Marion was the only thing.
It is just like Hickory in Hoosiers. That is not the case in Evansville.
Burkhart knew he could not bring all of his Marion experiences along; this was a different opportunity requiring a different approach. But he certainly wanted to maximize the opportunity, establishing a foundation to be proud of for years to come.
Burkhart wanted more than good scorers, rebounders and playmakers. He wanted more than title wins at sectionals, regionals and semi-state.
Above all else, Burkhart wanted to make sure his kids left Bosse in position to be successful men. That was always the goal. Basketball came second.
“I wanted to make sure our kids were ready for college, ready to be successful,” Burkhart said. “A lot of high school athletes don’t realize how hard (adulthood) is.”
Growth of the game
Across the history of Indiana high school basketball, there has been conversation about balancing its tradition with its evolution. The sport has undoubtedly taken a step forward since 1910.
Following the 1996-97 season, the IHSAA transitioned from its single-class state tournament format to a multi-class system where multiple winners would be crowned at season’s end. It was a decision met with backlash.
Newlin said it has caused high school basketball to not hold the same significance it once did — an opinion shared by several people.
And In May, the IHSAA Board of Directors voted against a proposal for a 35-second shot clock. Among other factors, the board analyzed the number of possessions that exceeded 35 seconds and the possible limitations it would place on coaches.
In an interview with WISH-TV, IHSAA commissioner Paul Neidig shared what led to the decision, leaning on tradition in his response.
The balance of tradition and evolution will surely be a continued conversation, as it has for years. Burkhart has his dissatisfaction with the decision making.
He wants Indiana to live up to its allure.
“In some ways, it’s becoming better basketball in other places because we refuse to get caught up to where we need to be,” Burkhart said. “If it’s going to be ‘just basketball in 49 other states,’ then we better get caught up with the times.”
Still, Burkhart is more than happy with where he is at. While he continues his aim of winning his first state title with Bosse, Burkhart remains proud of his experience.
And amid the cultural differences, in terms of status, he sees Marion in the same vein as Bosse in Evansville.
“Selfishly, I don’t want anyone else to win state in the area,” Burkhart said. “We are the mecca of Evansville basketball. I’m sure there’ll be a lot of people that say that’s a crazy statement, but I believe it to be true.”
NOTE: This story is part of a special “America 250” project on the history of Indiana high school basketball by journalists within USA Today Co. at the South Bend Tribune, Journal & Courier (Lafayette), The Star Press (Muncie), The Herald-Times (Bloomington) and The Courier & Press (Evansville). All stories will run on those respective sites between July 6-17, with select stories in printed copies of the paper as well.
Markos Tsegaye is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. He can be reached at mtsegaye@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @10_Markos_
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