Columbus East High School

Columbus East Awarded "Gift of the Game" Scholarship Columbus East High School has been selected as the recipient of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame’s prestigious Gift of the Game Scholarship, an honor awarded annually to a school chosen by the oldest living Hall of Fame inductee. On the women’s side, that inductee is former Columbus East head coach Jacqueline K. Burton, a trailblazer in Indiana basketball and a longtime advocate for student-athletes. Coach Burton personally selected Columbus East High School for this year’s scholarship, continuing her lasting connection to the Olympian program. The Gift of the Game Scholarship will be awarded to a senior female student-athlete who plans to attend a four-year college. The scholarship provides $1,000 per year for four years, totaling $4,000, and is designed to recognize a student who embodies the values of the game—commitment, character, and appreciation for the opportunities athletics provide. Following a selection process conducted by the Columbus East coaching staff, Ella Anthis has been chosen as the 2026 recipient of the Gift of the Game Scholarship. The scholarship presentation will take place Friday, January 30, prior to the start of the varsity girls basketball game, recognizing Anthis in front of her teammates, school community, and fans. This honor not only celebrates Ella Anthis’s achievements as a student-athlete, but also reinforces the legacy of Coach Jacqueline K. Burton and the impact Columbus East in the history of Indiana girls high school basketball.