Columbus East High School

The Columbus East freshman boys basketball team did exactly what it needed to do Monday night(1/19), holding its nerve down the stretch to secure a much-needed 36–32 home win over Batesville. The young Olympians set the tone early, coming out sharp and composed on both ends of the floor. East’s defense was locked in from the opening tip, limiting Batesville to just 11 points in the first half. On offense, the scoring load was shared, as six different Olympians found the basket before halftime, helping East build a 19–11 lead at the break. That balance continued after intermission. Columbus East pushed the pace and extended its advantage to 30–20 by the end of the third quarter, staying disciplined and patient while continuing to get contributions from multiple players. Batesville didn’t go quietly. The Bulldogs made a strong push in the fourth quarter, trimming the margin to a single point and putting real pressure on the home team. That’s when the Olympians showed maturity beyond their years. East knocked down key free throws, came up with timely defensive stops, and battled on the glass, with Jayden Wilcox pulling in tough rebounds when they mattered most. Thirteen Olympians saw action in the contest, with eight players scoring. Parker Jones led the way with seven points, followed by Frank Phillips with six. Luke Lienhoop and Owen Hatfield added five apiece, Gavin Wilcox and Dane Hoopingarner chipped in four each, Jayden Wilcox scored three, and Asa Malanoski rounded out the scoring with two. Now sitting at 6–5 on the season, the Columbus East freshman squad will look to build on this momentum when they return to action Saturday, January 24, traveling to Jeffersonville for a 6 p.m. tip-off.