Columbus East’s Kenzie Cheek dribbles against Mooresville’s Lyla Jacobs Nov. 17, 2023, at Columbus East.
The Republic file photo
After losing all five starters and six of its top seven players to graduation, Columbus East girls basketball will be in for a rebuilding season in 2024-25.
Kaitlyn Phillips, who will be entering her second year as the Olympians coach, had a chance to get a look at the players who will be moving into varsity roles this season when teams had a chance to practice and play games during the month of June.
“They did a pretty good job of competing,” Phillips said. “We graduated six seniors, so we have a lot of kids that are playing varsity for the first time. The pace of the game is a lot faster than JV, and the physicality. They took some time getting used to it, but they rose to the challenge.”
East’s varsity team played a little more than 20 games on nine different days in June. The JV also played several games.
“We didn’t do a ton of practice, just games, so they could get that experience,” Phillips said.
Phillips used only seven girls on the varsity this summer. Incoming junior Kenzie Cheek started some games early in the winter season and was the Olympians’ sixth player for most of the year for a team that finished 5-18.
Columbus East’s Brelyn Pool passes the ball against Purdue Poly Englewood Oct. 31, 2023, at Columbus East.
The Republic file photo
Incoming senior Kimberly Carothers and incoming juniors Brelyn Pool and Lola Watkins saw a little varsity action, but played mostly JV. Incoming senior Ellie Schlaudroff and incoming juniors Ella Anthis and Sammy Mires are moving up from the JV.
“We’re just inexperienced and young,” Phillips said. “We have two seniors, and Kenzie played varsity last year, but she came off the bench. Not having any starters returning, it’s a year where we’re trying to reload.”
Phillips was happy with the team’s progress over the June period. She said the team finished the summer strong at its team camp at St. Francis.
“It was easily the best and most consistent we played this summer, so that was good to see,” Phillips said.
Editor’s note: This is the first of six stories wrapping up the summer basketball seasons for the Columbus East, Columbus North and Hauser girls and boys teams.
