Columbus East High School

The Columbus East Olympian girls basketball team saw its 2025–2026 season come to a close Tuesday night, falling 53–16 to the East Central Trojans in a first-round matchup of the IHSAA Class 4A Sectional 14 tournament at the Orange Pit. Columbus East served as the host site for Sectional 14, with all tournament games played on the Olympians’ home floor. East Central set the tone early with its full-court pressure and defensive intensity, forcing Columbus East into difficult possessions throughout the night. The Trojans jumped out to a 14–5 lead after the first quarter and continued to apply pressure heading into halftime, taking a 29–13 advantage at the break. East Central controlled the tempo coming out of the locker room, closing the third quarter with a 42–13 lead, before finishing off the 53–16 victory. Columbus East struggled to handle East Central’s press, which led to turnovers and limited offensive opportunities as the game progressed. Olympian Scoring Ella Anthis – 7 points Mackenzie Cheek – 2 points Krea Martin – 2 points Hayden Meek – 2 points Brelyn Pool – 2 points Lola Watkins – 1 point With the win, East Central advances to the semifinal round of Sectional 14 and will face the Franklin Grizzly Cubs on Friday, February 6, with tipoff scheduled for approximately 8 p.m., or following the completion of the first semifinal game. Friday night’s sectional action will begin with Columbus North vs. Whiteland at 6 p.m. inside the Orange Pit. The Sectional 14 Championship is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, with a 7 p.m. tipoff, once again at Columbus East High School. While the season came to an end in the sectional opener, the legacy of seniors Brelyn Pool, Mackenzie Cheek, and Ella Anthis extends far beyond the final score. Their effort, resilience, and dedication to Columbus East basketball set the tone throughout the winter and will remain a foundation for the program moving forward.