Columbus East High School

The Columbus East freshman boys basketball team didn’t just win their season finale on Saturday evening; they made a statement. Traveling to Jeffersonville High School, the "O’s" put on a clinic of aggressive defense and cohesive teamwork, dismantling the Red Devils in a commanding 59-27 victory. The win puts a polished cap on the Olympians' season, leaving them with a winning 12-8 overall record and a balanced 3-3 mark in conference play. Fast Start, Constant Pressure From the opening tip, it was clear that Coach Damon Hunter’s squad came to play with a purpose. The Olympians jumped out to a staggering 18-4 lead in the first quarter, effectively silencing the home crowd early. Parker Jones set the tone offensively with 7 quick points. Gavin Wilcox anchored the paint, contributing 4 points and hauling in 6 rebounds in the opening frame alone. The momentum didn't shift in the second. Behind a dominant interior performance from Jayden Wilcox—who racked up 6 points and 6 rebounds in the second stanza—East stretched their advantage to 34-14 heading into the locker room. Total Team Effort With a comfortable lead in hand, the second half became a showcase for the program's depth. Coach Hunter utilized all 13 available players, maintaining a high level of play regardless of the lineup. The bench energy was spearheaded by: Cam Kibler whose steady ball-handling kept the offense fluid. Matt Muir and Asa Malanoski, who crashed the boards for 5 rebounds apiece. Despite the rotations, the defensive intensity never wavered, as the Olympians held Jeffersonville to just 13 points in the entire second half. Scoring Breakdown The Olympians displayed a balanced attack with ten different players finding the bottom of the net: | Player | Points | | Frank Phillips | 14 | | Parker Jones | 12 | | Owen Hatfield | 7 | | Jayden Wilcox | 6 | | Gavin Wilcox | 4 | | Asa Malanoski | 4 | | Tucker Day | 3 | | Jakobi Noble | 3 | | Luke Lienhoop | 2 | | Cam Kibler | 2 | | Matt Muir | 2 | " Powered by aggressive defense and teamwork," Coach Hunter noted, the freshman Olympians proved they are a group to watch as they transition into their sophomore campaigns next year.