Columbus East High School

BEDFORD, IN — Short-handed but unfazed, the Columbus East boys basketball team earned a hard-nosed 62–60 road victory Friday night over Bedford North-Lawrence, locking up their first conference win of the season. Playing without two starters in senior Carter Patterson and junior Judah Lewis, the Olympians leaned on toughness, composure, and timely execution. The difference came at the end, when Columbus East clamped down defensively and did not allow the Stars to get a shot off in the final two seconds, sealing the win. Keaton Lawson carried the scoring load in a big way, pouring in a game-high 29 points to lead the Olympians. Graham Preizer added 11 points, while Carson Gallion chipped in 9. Logan Neal contributed 6 points, Ben Ellegood scored 4, and Tony Cowan rounded out the scoring with 3. It wasn’t pretty, and it wasn’t easy — but it was exactly the kind of gritty road win that the younger Olympians needed and experienced.