Columbus East High School

The 53-year history of the Columbus crosstown rivalry added another unforgettable chapter Friday night, and this one had everything. In a packed Orange Pit, the Columbus East boys basketball team survived momentum swings, scoring droughts, and overtime drama to edge Columbus North 52-49 in a game that refused to settle quietly. From the opening tip, East set a physical tone defensively and controlled the early flow. The Olympians built an 11-4 advantage after one quarter and carried a 25-19 lead into halftime, using ball pressure and timely perimeter shooting to keep the Bulldogs uncomfortable. That approach paid off even more in the third quarter, when East stretched the margin to as many as 14 points and appeared to seize command. Rivalry games, however, rarely follow a script. A sequence of turnovers, technical fouls, and whistles flipped the energy, and what had been a comfortable East lead slowly evaporated. The Olympians went scoreless over the final stretch of regulation, yet their defensive effort kept the game within reach and forced overtime after North’s final attempt came up short at the buzzer. Extra time belonged to East’s resolve. Keaton Lawson opened overtime with a deep three, then electrified the crowd moments later with a breakaway dunk that pushed the Olympians in front by six. Even then, the game wasn’t finished. North answered with a late three and had one final look to tie, but East’s defense held firm once more as the horn sounded. Judah Lewis led the Olympians with 13 points, while Lawson added 11 points to go along with his clutch overtime moments. Graham Preizer chipped in nine points, Tony Cowan finished with eight, Carter Patterson scored seven, and Ben Ellegood rounded out the scoring with two. Beyond the box score, East’s collective effort on the defensive end and its ability to respond after adversity defined the night. The win moves Columbus East to 2-1 and reinforces a familiar truth about this rivalry: no lead is safe, no possession is routine, and no victory comes easy. The Olympians now turn the page and enjoy a brief break before heading to Greenwood for the one-day Bailey & Wood Holiday Tournament on Saturday, January 3. East will open play at 9 a.m. against host Greenwood, with JV and freshman contests also scheduled throughout the day. Friday’s outcome won’t be the last word between these programs this season, but for now, the Orange Pit belongs to the Olympians.