Columbus East High School

The Columbus East boys basketball team’s season came to a bittersweet conclusion in the 2025 IHSAA Sectional championship game. Though the Olympians fell short of a title, their remarkable turnaround is undeniable. Finishing the season with a 15-10 record, the team made an impressive leap from years past—especially considering the program’s struggles over the last six seasons, where they amassed just 33 wins against 100 losses. This season also marked the first time Columbus East reached a Sectional final since the 2010-11 campaign, further showcasing the program’s resurgence. They also escaped finishing last in the Hoosier Hills Conference, winning two conference games and strongly competing in all of the other conference games. The Hoosier Hills Conference is showing it's strength with two teams playing for a IHSAA Regional title this weekend. At the heart of this revival were seniors Mason Reeves, Danny Coriden, Ethan Bumbalough, Jayden Thompson, Alex Duncan, and Grayson Watters. These players remained dedicated to the program through challenging years, constantly improving and growing into exceptional leaders. Their perseverance paid off, as they helped shape a team that not only competed but also fostered a strong sense of camaraderie on and off the court. The journey wasn’t without adversity. Throughout the season, the Olympians faced injuries and illness, testing their depth and resilience. Yet, no matter the obstacle, they never backed down. Instead, they continued to fight, leaving everything on the court each game. Looking ahead, Columbus East faces the challenge of replacing seven graduating seniors, but the future remains bright. With their top two scorers returning, Keaton Lawson & Carter Patterson, the team will be looking for new contributors to step up and fill key roles next season. Much credit goes to head coach Perry Nash, who, in just his second year at the helm, has instilled a winning culture within the program. His leadership, positive influence, and ability to get his players to buy into his system have been instrumental in this turnaround. As we close this years basketball season, Olympian Nation wants to give a special thank you to the Columbus East boys basketball team and Coach Nash for an unforgettable season. This year's success was just the beginning—there are plenty of exciting moments still to come for the Olympians.