Columbus East High School

In a thrilling annual face-off, the Columbus East Girls basketball team emerged victorious against the Columbus North Bulldogs, securing a hard-fought 43-38 win at Columbus North. The Olympians faced adversity, overcoming an 8-point deficit in the late stages of the 4th quarter through stellar defense led by Jenna Guse and her teammates, coupled with crucial scoring from Madelyn Poe and Caroline Frost. Poe's late three-pointer in regulation tied the game, and her five points in overtime played a pivotal role. Frost, initially contained for most of the game, exploded in the 4th quarter and overtime, contributing 12 of her 15 total points for the night. Senior leaders Jenna Guse and Victoria Cuhadar spearheaded the defensive efforts, restricting the Bulldogs' top scorers and demonstrating exceptional defensive pressure throughout the game. Seniors Guse and Cuhadar also provided crucial leadership during tense moments in the late game. The Olympians capitalized on timely free throw shooting, addressing a previous weakness that had plagued them in earlier season contests. New basketball coach Kaitlyn Phillips, experiencing her first rival game, praised the unique atmosphere created by Columbus: "Just the atmosphere that Columbus created for us tonight was so special. I’m so happy that we got to be a part of it." Phillips acknowledged the significance of the win but highlighted the team's overall resilience and battling spirit. CEHS's student section earned praise for their enthusiastic support, making a significant impact when the team needed it most. The hope is that this trend of strong support continues as the season progresses, showcasing #OrangePride, #EastSide, and #EastPride. Olympians' Stats: - Field Goals Made-Attempted: 15-45 - Three-Pointers Made-Attempted: 2-15 - Free Throws Made-Attempted: 11-22 - Rebounds: 30 (22 defensive, 8 offensive) - Steals: 6 - Blocks: 4 - Assists: 9 Scoring by Quarter: CEHS: 1st-6, 2nd-7, 3rd-6, 4th-15, OT-9 CNHS: 1st-7, 2nd-5, 3rd-7, 4th-15, OT-5 Notable Player Stats: - Kimberly Carothers: 1 rebound - Savannah Sullivan: 3 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist - Kenzie Cheek: 4 rebounds - Victoria Cuduhar: 2 points, 3 rebounds - Jenna Guse: 4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, 4 assists - Messiah Trapp: 6 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists - Caroline Frost: 15 points, 7 rebounds - Madelyn Pope: 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 2 assists Looking ahead, the Olympians will be back in action on Tuesday, December 19th, as they host North Decatur in the Orange Pit, with JV starting at 6 p.m. and Varsity at 7:30 p.m.