Columbus East High School

The Columbus East Olympians closed out their regular season in emphatic fashion, dismantling the Greensburg Pirates 72-36 last night in the Orange Pit. The victory not only ended a five-game losing streak against the Pirates but also served as a confidence booster heading into the IHSAA playoffs on March 4th. Breaking the Streak in Commanding Fashion: Greensburg entered the game with momentum, having won seven of their last eight, including their last game, a signature victory over 2A No. 1 South Ripley on the road. The Pirates arrived in Columbus with confidence, but the Olympians had other plans. For the first time in weeks, East was nearly at full strength, with their regular starting lineup intact and key bench players available. Injuries and illness had disrupted their rhythm in recent weeks, but last night, the O’s looked like the team that started the season 9-1. Suffocating Defense, Explosive Offense The Olympians’ defensive pressure dictated the game, creating steals, forcing contested passes, and generating fast-break opportunities. On offense, East rained down 11 three-pointers and delivered multiple highlight-reel dunks, many set up by their relentless defensive effort. Eight different Olympians contributed to the scoring column, putting Greensburg in a defensive bind. Game Breakdown: 1st Quarter: East set the tone early, jumping out to a 19-12 lead with three-pointers from Ethan Bumbalough, Judah Lewis, and Danny Coriden. 2nd Quarter: A late 8-0 run in the final three minutes pushed the Olympians’ lead to 40-23 at halftime. Keaton Lawson led all first-half scorers with 10 points, followed by Carter Patterson and Judah Lewis with eight each. 3rd Quarter: The Olympians clamped down defensively, holding Greensburg to just 10 points. Lawson continued his scoring tear with seven more points, and Coriden added five as East stretched the lead to 60-33. 4th Quarter: East locked down even further, limiting the Pirates to just three points in the final frame to seal the 72-36 victory. Stat Leaders; - **Keaton Lawson** – 20 points (8 two-pointers, 4-5 FT) - **Danny Coriden** – 11 points (3 three-pointers, 1 two-pointer) - **Judah Lewis** – 11 points (3 three-pointers, 1 two-pointer) - **Mason Reeves** – 9 points (3 three-pointers) - **Carter Patterson** – 8 points (6 two-pointers, 2-2 FT) - **Ethan Bumbalough** – 5 points (1 three-pointer, 1 two-pointer) - **Grayson Watters** – 4 points - **Alex Duncan** – 2 points - **Logan Neal** – 2 points Next Up: The Playoffs Begin: With the regular season in the books, Columbus East now turns its attention to the IHSAA Class 4A Sectional 14, which they have the honor of hosting in the Orange Pit. The five-team sectional includes Columbus East, Columbus North, East Central, Franklin Community, and Whiteland. More info about Sectional 14 can be found here: https://ceolympians.com/Article/57592 The Olympians kick off sectional play on Tuesday, March 4th, at 7:30 p.m., when they host their cross-town rival, the Columbus North Bulldogs. 🎟 Ticket Information: Legacy passes, student passes, and season passes are **not valid** for ANY IHSAA tournament event. **All attendees must purchase a ticket**. Save time and get your ticket in advance: Purchase Tickets Here>> https://public.eventlink.com/tickets?t=117161 for Tuesday nights game. Let's pack The Pit and create an electric atmosphere! **EastPride!**