Columbus North has beaten Columbus East 11 consecutive times in girls basketball, but the most recent one of those losses may have been the post painful for the Olympians.
The first 10 of those Bull Dog victories came by an average margin of 29.3 points. The 11th was a two-point decision in last year’s sectional final.
East returns all five starters from that team, while North lost its top three players. Tonight, the Olympians will try to end the streak.
“We’re just going continue to try and get better every game,” East coach Danny Brown. “We had a little setback against Jeffersonville, a powerful team that’s quick and fast and had a lot of depth. I just hope that we learn from that game and each game. We’re out to win every game, and (today) is no exception.”
The Olympians took a 7-0 record into Saturday’s game with Jeffersonville. The Red Devils, who are ranked No. 9 in Class 4A, handed East a 63-47 loss.
The Olympians had won their first seven games by an average of 24.9 points.
“I’m more concerned with how we bounce back from this (Jeffersonville) game,” Brown said. “We have to get back to playing the way we did the first seven games. If we do that, we have a shot at winning. We have to be patient and play our game and our style.”
Seniors Addy Galarno (14.5 ppg) and Britney Ballard (10.0 ppg) lead East. Senior Kristen Lyons adds 8.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.0 blocks.
Jenna Borger (11.1 ppg) is the only North player averaging in double figures. Sophomore Tessa Lomax adds 8.4 points and 8.9 rebounds.
The Bull Dogs have lost only to Martinsville and at Class 4A No. 3 Lawrence North. Columbus North has won four in a row, including Tuesday’s 68-46 win against Seymour.
“Each game has had more good than bad, and that’s what we need to keep doing — extending the good parts and minimizing the bad parts,” North coach Pat McKee said. “(East is) a very good team, and we better be ready to play.”
Boys teams to meet
The East and North boys will renew their rivalry Friday night at East.
The Bull Dogs are off to a 4-1 start, with their only loss coming at Shelbyville. Freshman Blake Barker (11.6 ppg) and senior Bailey Hester (10.2) are the top scorers.
“They get after you, they press you hard, they’re very active in the passing lanes and they shoot the ball well,” East coach Brent Chitty said.
The Olympians are 1-2. They got a late start again this season because of the football team’s run to the Class 5A state championship.
Following a season-opening win at Noblesville, the Olympians fell at Bedford North Lawrence and at home against 3A No. 5 Silver Creek last weekend.
“We’re going to have to be more consistent,” Chitty said. “I think we’re taking pretty decent shots, but we just have to knock shots down and we have to take care of the basketball. We’ve had too many unforced turnovers, just bad decision making. We just have to slow ourselves down and get into a rhythm the way we need to play.”
Senior Drew Hasson leads East with 11.0 points a game. Junior Matt Frost averages 10.7.
Frost scored 16 in the loss to Silver Creek.
“I thought Frost played a great game on Saturday night, and they have some guys that can shoot the ball pretty well,” North coach Paul Ferguson said. “I think once they get a little more experience under their belt, they’re going to continue to get better and better as the season goes on.”
East senior commits
Columbus East senior Zach Clark has decided to continue his football career at University of Indianapolis.
Clark announced his decision Monday on Twitter. The offensive tackle earned All-Hoosier Hills Conference honors after helping lead the Olympians to the Class 5A state title.
Clark also was considering Hillsdale (Michigan), where his brother Jared is a freshman offensive lineman.
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THE RIVALRY CONTINUES
GIRLS
Today: Columbus East (7-1) at Columbus North (7-2), 7:30 p.m.
Probable starters
East;Height;Year;PPG;Pos.;North;Height;Year;PPG
Britney Ballard;5-11;Sr.;10.0;G;Kenzie Patberg;5-6;Sr.;7.3
Addy Galarno;5-9;Sr.;14.5;G;Annie Anderson;5-6;Soph.;7.8
Whitley Rankin;5-4;Soph.;8.5;G;Jenna Borger;5-10;Sr.;11.1
Kristen Lyons;6-2;Sr.;8.3;F;Liz Tynan;5-9;Sr.;4.7
Claire Cunningham;6-1;Jr.;6.4;F;Tessa Lomax;6-0;Soph.;8.4
BOYS
Friday: Columbus North (4-1) at Columbus East (1-2), 7:30 p.m.
Probable starters
East;Height;Year;PPG;Pos.;North;Height;Year;PPG
Max Nolting;5-11;Sr.;6.3;G;Lakeevan Whedon;5-11;Jr.;9.8
Drew Johnson;5-11;Jr.;3.0;G;Blake Barker;6-0;Fr.;11.6
Matt Frost;6-5;Jr.;10.7;G;Bailey Hester;5-11;Sr.;10.2
Drew Hasson;6-3;Sr.;11.0;G;Ross Gill;6-2;Sr.;4.6
Thomas Myers;6-3;Sr.;7.3;G;Jaylen Flemmons;6-3;Sr.;9.0
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