Columbus East High School

The Columbus East girls basketball team faced a demanding road challenge Thursday night, traveling across town to Memorial Gymnasium to take on longtime rival Columbus North. Despite a strong effort and moments of control, the Olympians came up short in a 58–43 loss. East wasted no time establishing itself, playing with confidence early and forcing the pace against a Bulldogs team that entered the night heavily favored. The Olympians executed offensively in the opening stretch, building an early cushion and showing poise in a high-energy rivalry environment. As the game progressed, sustaining that rhythm proved difficult. Columbus North’s defensive pressure disrupted East’s offensive flow, leading to empty possessions that allowed the Bulldogs to gain separation before halftime. Still, the Olympians remained within striking distance through three quarters, continuing to compete on the glass and fight through physical play. Ella Anthis led Columbus East in scoring with 10 points, knocking down two shots from long range. Lola Watkins followed with nine points, while Kenzie Cheek added eight. Brelyn Pool contributed seven points, providing an additional scoring option, and Hayden Meek chipped in five points to go along with a game-high 12 rebounds. Rebounding was a clear positive for East, as the Olympians held a 34–27 advantage on the boards. That physical presence kept the game from getting out of hand and reflected the team’s willingness to compete possession by possession. Ultimately, turnovers and perimeter shooting efficiency tilted the game away from the Olympians late, as North created breathing room in the fourth quarter. Even so, East continued to battle until the final horn, showing resilience against a familiar opponent. Columbus East will look to build on that effort when the Olympians return home Monday, December 20, hosting North Decatur in the Orange Pit. Junior varsity action begins at 6 p.m., followed by the varsity matchup.