Columbus East coaches and players recognize those battling cancer, cancer survivors and those who have lost their battle with cancer before their game against Mooresville at Columbus East, Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.
Paige Grider for The Republic
Columbus East started the game strong on the defensive end Friday night, but it was Mooresville’s defensive strength over the entire 32 minutes that hampered the Olympians.
The Pioneers limited East to 26 percent (10 of 39) shooting from the field and forced 20 turnovers in handing the Olympians a 52-28 defeat.
“We really just have to figure out a way to put the ball in the basket more than what we did,” East coach Kaitlyn Phillips said. “I think we got a lot of good shots, especially early on. We just didn’t convert.”
The Olympians (2-5) held Mooresville scoreless for the first six minutes, but led only 4-0. East still led 8-6 early in the second quarter before the Pioneers (5-2) went on a 24-4 run to take control.
“We had a lot of positive moments,” Phillips said. “We really competed well for several different series in the game. It’s just a matter of putting it all together. When the ball goes in the basket, you play better, you defend harder, you feel more confident. So we have to find ways to do that and convert in those key situations to where they’re not going on those runs.”
Madelyn Poe led the Olympians with 13 points and five rebounds. Caroline Frost added seven points.
Mooresville’s inside tandem of 6-foot Rachel Harshman (19 points, 12 rebounds) and 6-1 Randee Garringer (14 points) gave a smaller East team fits.
“They dominated the paint tonight,” Phillips said. “Their two post players are really solid, and they were going to carry their team, so we knew that was going to be an issue. But overall, honestly, 52 points in a varsity game is not absurd.”
Friday’s game was “Pink Night” for the Olympians. They wore pink uniforms, honored cancer survivors and those who have lost their battle with cancer and raised money for the Indiana Women In Need Foundation.
“I think it was so much more tonight than I could have even asked or hoped for,” Phillips said. “People in Columbus really showed up tonight in their pink, and they showed up ready to donate and support the cause. Obviously, tonight was about a lot more than basketball, so I’m really appreciative of the city of Columbus who came out and supported that goal of ours.”
Mooresville 52, Columbus East 28
Mooresville;6;19;15;12;—;52
Columbus East;6;6;10;6;—;28
Mooresville (5-2): Lyla Jacobs 4 2-2 10, Sydney Hardy 0 0-0 0, Emma McGinley 1 0-0 2, Addi VanWanzeele 0 0-0 0, Ava Shafer 2 0-0 5, Rachel Harshman 8 3-3 19, Randee Garringer 7 0-0 14, Kalyn Bunch 1 0-0 2. Totals: 23 5-7 52.
Columbus East (2-5): Kenzi Cheek 1 0-0 2, Lola Watkins 1 0-0 3, Ella Anthis 0 0-0 0, Jenna Guse 0 1-2 1, Kimberly Carothers 0 0-0 0, Victoria Cuhadar 0 0-0 0, Savanna Sullivan 0 0-0 0, Messiah Trapp 1 0-0 2, Caroline Frost 2 2-2 7, Madelyn Poe 5 1-2 13, Brelyn Pool 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10 4-6 28.
3-point goals: Mooresville 1 (Shafer); Columbus East 4 (Poe 2, Watkins, Frost).
