Columbus East High School

Last year’s Columbus East Olympians made strides under third-year coach Perry Nash, finishing with a 15-10 record – the program’s first winning season since 2018-19 – and advanced all the way to the sectional championship game. Though they fell just a few points short of a sectional title, Coach Nash sees it as motivation. “The focus of our program is to continue building on the success we had last year,” he explains. “We came up short by two shots for a sectional championship. We feel that it’s our time to take that next step.” With that work ethic ingrained from the start, the Olympians aim to push even further in the new season. Hard-Nosed Defense and Intensity: Columbus East will once again be defined by its aggressive, up-tempo style. Nash emphasizes the team’s identity: relentless effort and man-to-man defense. “We have built our program around hard-nose man-to-man defense,” he says. Fans can expect a high-energy style of play – a team that competes every possession. “You can continue to expect that from us. We are a program built around competition and hard work. We feel that no one outworks us,” Nash adds. This defensive mindset is the cornerstone of Columbus East’s approach, and it plays to the strengths of a roster laden with hard-working players. Leadership and Returning Talent: One of the team’s biggest assets heading into the season is the return of its top three players from last year: Carter Patterson (Sr- HHC Honorable Mention All-Conference), Keaton Lawson (Sr & IBCA Underclass Large School All-State, HHC All-Conference), and Judah Lewis (Jr). These three have been instrumental in setting the tone for the program’s culture. Nash credits them with embracing and reinforcing the Olympians’ core values: Compete, Communicate, Celebrate. “They have really set the tone on our core values,” Nash said. “We compete every day in practice. We communicate – a quiet gym is a losing gym. And we celebrate our teammates’ success greater than our own.” Their experience, leadership, and on-court production will be vital as East navigates a challenging season with big goals in mind. New Faces and Depth: While the core of the Olympians is experienced, this season will also see new contributors stepping into significant roles. Nash highlights several impact players: • Ben Ellegood (Sr) – A senior wing who has added much-needed toughness after a standout summer. • Tony Cowan (Sr) – A senior guard turned lockdown defender; he even shut down two Jr. All-Stars in summer play. • Logan Neal (So) – A skilled sophomore guard with multiple ways to score. • Graham Preizer (Jr) – A junior sharpshooter who stretches the floor with deep range. • Carson Gallion (So) – A sophomore who also came on strong over the offseason. These new names give East added depth and versatility. Nash is optimistic that this group – alongside his returning veterans – will gel quickly and surprise opponents. Tough Schedule to Tune Up: To prepare for the challenges ahead, the Olympians intentionally ramped up their schedule. Columbus East added upcoming New Palestine program and strong Center Grove to its lineup of non-conference games. Nash believes these tough early-season matchups will sharpen his team. “We added New Pal and Center Grove to our regular schedule of games this year. We are hoping that gives us an advantage before sectional rolls around,” he notes. In addition to these non-conference foes, East will battle Hoosier Hills rivals all season long – a gauntlet that should test the team’s resilience and highlight areas to improve before postseason play. Championship Aspirations: For Coach Nash and the Olympians, this season’s goal is clear: bring home the sectional title. “It starts and ends with a Sectional Championship,” Nash declares, emphasizing that reaching that goal requires a champion’s mindset every day. Columbus East has spent the past two seasons building a culture of constant competition in practice – a standard of effort that Nash says cannot slip. “You can’t get there without a champion’s approach every day to practice,” he explains. The challenge now is for East’s execution to match that effort on the court. Success will be measured not just by wins, but by how this team grows together – how well they execute plays and support each other as they strive for a title. With momentum from last season and a roster primed for hard work, the Columbus East Olympians appear ready to make the next leap. If Nash’s philosophy holds true, fans should expect an intense, competitive squad aiming for the ultimate prize. Thank you Coach Nash for taking the time to give us an insight to the season ahead. Good luck this season and GO O's!