Madelyn Poe, Caroline Frost, and Coach Kaitlyn Phillips etched their names into Columbus East Olympian’s basketball history on Thursday night, delivering a memorable rivalry clash against the Columbus North Bulldogs. The Olympians secured a thrilling 43-38 overtime victory, leaving fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
Seniors Madelyn Poe and Caroline Frost made their debut in a big rivalry basketball game, and they did not disappoint. Poe, a transfer from Hauser, led East with an impressive 16 points, including a game-tying 3-pointer late in regulation. Frost, renowned for her volleyball skills, contributed 15 points to the team’s cause.
The Olympians’ team defense played a pivotal role, holding Columbus North scoreless for significant stretches. A turning point came when Columbus North executed a 10-0 run, seemingly securing a comfortable lead. However, the Olympians showcased resilience, erasing a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime. The team’s adept transition from a full-court press to a half-court offense played a crucial role in the comeback.
In the overtime period, Madelyn Poe’s two crucial free throws combined with stellar team defense secured the hard-fought 43-38 victory. The game highlighted the Olympians’ ability to persevere under pressure.
Looking ahead, Columbus East will face North Decatur at home, while Columbus North will take on Jennings County at home, both on December 19
Columbus North’s Olivia Johnson (4) dribbles onto the court during warmups at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez / Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus North’s Kaitlin White (22) and Paige Terry (21) jump bump before tipoff of the rivalry game against the Columbus East at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus North’s Kaitlyn White (22)wins the open tip over Columbus East’s Caroline Frost (21) at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus East’s Madelyn Poe (24) blocks Columbus North’s Kaylie Harmon (20) shot attempt at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez / Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus North head coach Brett White calls out a play to his team at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus North’s Miley McClellan (23) dribbles the ball up the court at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
The Columbus East student body celebrates a made basket at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus North’s Ava Wilson (3) pressures Columbus East’s Madelyn Poe (24) as she crosses the half-court line at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus North’s Miley McClellan (23) and Kaitlin White (22) battle for the rebound with Columbus East’s Caroline Frost (21) and Savanna Sullivan (34) at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
The Columbus North cheerleaders perform during a timeout at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus North’s Miley McClellan (23) and Kenna Conrad (2) set a defensive trap for Columbus East’s Victoria Cuhadar (11) at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus East’s Madelyn Poe (24) shoots over the extended hand of Columbus North’s Kenna Conrad (2) at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus North’s Miley McClellan (23) attempts to steal the ball from Columbus East’s Madelyn Poe (24) at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus North’s Olivia Johnson (4) battles for the basketball with Columbus East’s Messiah Trapp (15) at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez / Indy Sports Daily)
A Columbus East student shows his school spirit during a timeout at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus North’s Miley McClellan (23) and Columbus East’s Caroline Frost (21) battle for the rebound at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
A Columbus East cheerleader cheers during a timeout at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus East’s Jenna Guse (4) shoots a jump shot over Columbus North’s Ava Wilson (3) at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus East’s Caroline Frost (21) shoots a basket in the paint at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
The Columbus North cheerleaders perform during a timeout at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
The Columbus East cheerleaders and students cheer a made basket at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus East’s head coach, Kaitlyn Phillips, discusses defensive strategy during a break in the action with Caroline Frost (21), Jenna Guse (4), and Messiah Trapp (15) at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
The Columbus East cheerleaders cheer during freethorw attempts at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus East’s Madelyn Poe (24) blows past the North defense at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
The Columbus East cheerleaders perform during a timeout at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus East’s Madelyn Poe (24) celebrates making a three-point basket at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus East’s Jenna Guse (4) eyes the clock while playing defense in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
The Columbus North student body celebrates a made basket at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus East’s Caroline Frost (21) controls the tipoff to start overtime at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus East’s Madelyn Poe (24) drives hard to the basket during the overtime at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus East’s Caroline Frost (21) passes the ball to her teammate on the sideline during the overtime at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus East celebrates the 43 -38 overtime victory over the crosstown rivals at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus East celebrates the 43 -38 overtime victory over the crosstown rivals at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
Columbus East’s Jenna Guse (4) embraces East head coach Kaitlyn Phillips, celebrating the overtime victory over the crosstown rivals Columbus North at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)
The Columbus East student body celebrates the overtime victory over the crosstown rivals Columbus North at Columbus Memorial Gymnasium in Columbus, IN, on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Photo by (Tony Vasquez/Indy Sports Daily)