Columbus East High School

Columbus East Falls Short in 5th-Place Game at Ditech Holiday Tournament The Columbus East girls basketball team entered Saturday’s 5th-place game in the Ditech Holiday Tournament at Hauser High School with high hopes. After a strong win on Friday, the Olympians aimed to carry that momentum into their matchup against the Paoli Rams. However, despite a hard-fought effort, a dominant fourth quarter by the Rams sealed a 42-36 victory for Paoli. The game was closely contested through the first three quarters. The Olympians trailed by only three points at halftime, 23-20, and managed to tie the game at 31-31 by the end of the third quarter. Unfortunately, Paoli’s defensive pressure in the fourth quarter proved decisive. The Rams held Columbus East to just five points in the final period, outscoring them 11-5 to claim the win. Standout Performances Kenzie Cheek led the Olympians with an impressive 17 points, including three 3-pointers and four 2-point field goals. Ella Anthis contributed eight points, showing increased scoring output with two 3-pointers and one 2-point field goal. Lola Watkins and Kimberly Carothers each added four points. Krea Martin rounded out the scoring with three points. Key Factors in the Game One of the critical aspects of the game was the free throw discrepancy. The Olympians had just one free throw attempt in the first half compared to Paoli’s four. In the second half, the Rams went to the line 10 times—all in the fourth quarter— while Columbus East managed only two attempts. This 14-3 difference in free throw opportunities played a significant role in the outcome. Paoli’s standout performer, Jericho Hopper (#20), was another factor the Olympians couldn’t overcome. Hopper scored 25 points, including 15 in the second half, to lead the Rams to victory and thwart Columbus East’s comeback attempts. Looking Ahead The Olympians will have a few days to regroup and prepare for their next challenge. They are set to travel to Shelbyville High School for a rare Friday night game on January 3, with varsity tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. Despite Saturday’s loss, Columbus East remains determined to build on their performance and continue improving as the season progresses.