FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — Tuesday night kicked off the playoffs for high school girls’ basketball in Indiana.

Friends, family and fans gathered at Carroll High School to watch four local schools compete.

Dan Snider, assistant principal and athletic director for Carroll High School said, “… the interest in girls’ sports in general has really, you know, taken off.”

He attributes players such as Caitlin Clark and the increase in media coverage in the past few years for the reason the sport has been gaining more interest.

Even though there are more eyes and cameras on girl’s basketball lately, some studies have actually shown a decrease in popularity in the sport across the country over the last few years.

According to data released by the National Federation of State High School Associations, in 2021 basketball “dropped to the fourth-most-popular girls’ sport by participation” across the country.

Snider said all six teams in Carroll’s sectional historically have solid programs and each year they have a great turn out for the games.