Columbus East High School

The Columbus East boys' basketball team didn't have the perfect start, but they finished strong, marking a promising beginning to the season. In an exciting season-opener at the Orange Pit on Tuesday night, the Olympians made a noteworthy comeback in the last four minutes, securing a hard-fought 57-53 victory against Whiteland. The Olympians faced a bit of pressure in the first quarter, with Whiteland taking an early 12-9 lead. Some turnovers and defensive lapses at the start of the second quarter allowed Whiteland to increase their lead to 20-11. The Warriors had their best quarter, closing out the second quarter with a 24-15 advantage at halftime. During the game, only two players, sophomores Keaton Lawson and Carter Patterson, scored until junior Mason Reeves and senior Jackson Fischvogt joined the scoring party with three three-pointers. This narrowed the Olympians' deficit to seven points, trailing 43-36 at the end of the third quarter. The addition of these three-pointers boosted the Olympians' confidence and momentum heading into the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Olympians intensified their defensive pressure, causing turnovers for Whiteland. Alongside the Warriors' mistakes, the Olympians effectively rebounded on the defensive end, providing ample opportunities to score on offense. Through solid defense, key rebounding, and efficient team offense, the Olympians dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the Warriors 21-8, and overcame the Warriors in the final four minutes to secure the win. It was an outstanding team effort for the Olympians. The scoring breakdown for the team includes Carter Patterson with 23 points, Keaton Lawson with 14 points, Ethan Bumbalough with 7 points, Jackson Fischvogt with 8 points, and Mason Reeves with 3 points. The Olympians will be back in action on Friday, December 1st, as they travel to Trinity Lutheran High School. They will then return to the Orange Pit on Saturday, December 2nd, hosting Southwestern Hanover.