Columbus East High School

The Columbus East boys basketball season came to a close Friday evening in the semifinal round of the IHSAA Sectional at Columbus North High School, as the Olympians fell to the host Bulldogs 55–43. Columbus East came out ready for the moment and controlled much of the first half. The Olympians built momentum with strong defensive play and balanced scoring, taking a 24–20 lead into halftime after outscoring the Bulldogs in both of the opening quarters. However, the game shifted dramatically after the break. Columbus North erupted for 19 points in the third quarter, while East managed just four. The Bulldogs’ surge flipped the momentum and put the Olympians in a double-digit hole heading into the final period. East battled throughout the fourth quarter, but the deficit proved too much to overcome as the Bulldogs secured the 55–43 victory. Keaton Lawson and Carter Patterson led the Olympians with 12 points each, while Judah Lewis added 11 points. Graham Preizer and Miles Broaddus each contributed three points, and Anthony Cowan finished with two points. With the loss, Columbus East concludes its season with a 7–15 record. Friday’s game also marked the final high school appearance for East seniors Keaton Lawson, Carter Patterson, Tony Cowan, and Ben Ellegood. The quartet helped lead the Olympians over the past four years, contributing to the program both on and off the court. Their leadership and dedication helped shape the culture of Columbus East basketball, and their impact on the program will continue to be felt in the seasons ahead. Columbus East 43, Columbus North 55 Columbus East: 11 | 13 | 4 | 15 — 43 Columbus North: 9 | 11 | 19 | 16 — 55 Columbus East Scoring (7–15): Anthony Cowan 2, Graham Preizer 3, Judah Lewis 11, Keaton Lawson 12, Carson Gallion 0, Ben Ellegood 0, Logan Neal 0, Miles Broaddus 3, Carter Patterson 12. Totals: 43 points.