Columbus North Girls Face Evansville Reitz in Regional Debut

First-ever matchup between the two programs with regional title on the line

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Columbus North and Evansville Reitz girls basketball teams will meet for the first time ever on Saturday at the Bedford North Lawrence Regional. North comes in after snapping a nine-year sectional drought, while Reitz is seeking its first regional title since 1981. Both teams bring balance and depth, setting up an intriguing matchup with a spot in the semi-state on the line.

Why it matters

This regional matchup is a rare new pairing in the Indiana high school basketball tournament, pitting two programs with long histories but no prior head-to-head meetings. The winner will advance to the semi-state round, keeping their state championship hopes alive.

The details

North captured the Columbus East Sectional with a 40-28 defensive-minded win over East Central, while Reitz edged Castle 46-45 to win its first sectional title since 1990. Reitz is led by a balanced attack, while North's core is steady and proven. The key will be North's ability to handle Reitz's defensive pressure and limit turnovers.

  • The regional matchup will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2026 at 1 p.m.
  • North won the Columbus East Sectional on February 15, 2026.
  • Reitz won the Castle Sectional on February 15, 2026.

The players

Columbus North Girls Basketball Team

The Columbus North girls basketball team is making its first regional appearance in 9 years after winning the Columbus East Sectional.

Evansville Reitz Girls Basketball Team

The Evansville Reitz girls basketball team is seeking its first regional title since 1981 after winning the Castle Sectional, its first sectional championship since 1990.

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What they’re saying

“Indiana tournament time has a special way of creating matchups that feel like they were drawn up by the basketball gods — and this one is brand new.”

— Jeremy Giggy, Sports Director, White River Broadcasting (1010wcsi.com)

What’s next

The winner of the Columbus North vs. Evansville Reitz regional matchup will advance to the semi-state round on February 29, 2026.

The takeaway

This regional clash between Columbus North and Evansville Reitz represents a rare new pairing in the Indiana high school basketball tournament, with both teams seeking to make history by advancing to the semi-state round for the first time in years. The outcome will come down to which team can best handle the pressure and capitalize on their strengths.