Columbus East High School

The Columbus East Olympians nearly pulled off a stunning upset Saturday night, pushing the state ranked Jeffersonville Red Devils to the absolute brink. Playing short-handed, missing two starters, the Olympians delivered a performance that had fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The game began with an electrifying burst from East. They dominated the first quarter, building a commanding 21-4 lead. This early dominance stunned the Red Devils and their supporters who may expected an easier game. As good teams always do, Jeffersonville, an always top-rated Hoosier Hills Conference opponent, fought their way back into contention, steadily erasing the deficit. Northwestern recruit Tre Singleton became a major force in the comeback, proving impossible to stop at times. By the end of the third quarter, Jeffersonville had edged ahead, 42-38. The final period was a relentless back-and-forth battle, seesawing with momentum shifting multiple times. The lead changed hands six times in this tense fourth-quarter exchange of baskets making it truly a nail-biter. The game came down to the wire. With seconds remaining and the score at 51-53, Keaton Lawson hit a clutch basket for the Olympians to tie the game at 53 a piece. It felt like an upset was imminent. But Jeffersonville, in a final burst, managed to secure a last-second layup by Singleton, snatching a 55-53 victory. Despite the narrow defeat, Columbus East's performance was remarkable. Keaton Lawson led the team with 16 points and 7 rebounds, while Danny Coriden added 14 points and Judah Lewis contributed 12. Mason Reeves provided an impressive 8 points. The team’s collective effort was clearly visible despite their shorthanded disadvantage. The Olympians displayed impressive offensive balance throughout the game and had a very solid defensive game plan for the Red Devils. The Olympians received good bench play from Jayden Thompson and Grayson Watters. The absence of two starting players – Carter Patterson (illness & teams second leading scorer)) and Alex Duncan (concussion) – only amplified the team's impressive showing. The Olympians proved they can compete successfully with the state's top teams. They proved the future is clearly bright, especially with the return of their injured players who will add further strength to this fun to watch basketball team. The final score might indicate a Jeffersonville 55-53 victory, but the true winner was everyone who witnessed the excitement and intensity. Columbus East fought with heart, leaving an enduring impression on all who watched. Scoring for the Olympians: Mason Reeves: 8 points - 2-3pts & 1 - 2pts Keaton Lawson - 16 points - 1-3pts, 5-2pts, and 3-4 free throws Tony Cowan - 3 points - 1-3pts Judah Lewis - 12 points - 2-3pts & 3-2pts Danny Coriden- 14 points - 4-3pts & 2-3 free throws