MARTINSVILLE — Columbus East went into Tuesday’s sectional opener as a prohibitive underdog against Class 4A No. 12 Bloomington North, but the Olympians didn’t care about the prognostications.
East channeled the play from its late-season surge to go toe to toe with the Cougars for much of the contest. The Olympians were within five points in the final minute before Bloomington North pulled away for a 48-37 victory.
“Our team has to play with energy, and we have to compete every possession,” East coach Brent Chitty said. “We knew they were going to make runs. They’re just too good of a team. They’re the best team we played all year, and we played a really good game.”
The Cougars (20-3) advance to play Columbus North (16-7) in Friday’s first semifinal at 6 p.m.
Bloomington North had far from an easy game on Tuesday, however. The game was tied 11-11 late in the first quarter when the Cougars went on an 9-0 run to take a 20-11 lead.
“We had a lot of open looks and a lot of them went halfway down and just came right back up,” said Will Rieckers, who led the Olympians with 15 points and five rebounds. “I think if we have those, this game is a lot closer, and it’s a lot more winnable for us.”
The lead stayed at nine at halftime and after three quarters. East got to within 42-36 on a Ben Sylva basket and Rieckers free throw with 44 seconds remaining, but Bloomington South went 6 for 6 from the free-throw line in the final 31 seconds to put it away.
“We persevered, and we kept battling, and that’s life,” Chitty said. “Life is going to throw you stuff, and our guys didn’t quit. We just had to stick the thing in the hole a little bit better earlier, and that maybe would have helped us out a little bit.”
Sylva finished with 11 points for the Olympians (7-15). Julius Dailey, who missed the past few games with an injury, added five points and five rebounds.
“I think our energy was a huge thing for us going out there, and having Julius back was big for us,” Rieckers said.
JaQualon Roberts, who has offers from Indiana University and Marquette, had 15 points and 14 rebounds in the first half and finished with 23 points and 19 rebounds for the Cougars.
East began the season 2-13 before running off five wins in a row late in the regular season.
“I’m just proud of our guys,” Rieckers said. “Last year, we had a bunch of seniors, and this year, we had a bunch of younger guys. We had a lot more chemistry, and we played together as a team this year and that’s what I’m proud of.”
“Willy Rieckers started to be a leader, and J.T. did and Ben Sylva and Julius (Dailey),” Chitty added. “They just all kind of meshed together. It was fun to watch happen. “I love my guys. They play hard. They practice hard. They’re fun to be around. I’m blessed and very thankful to have the opportunity to coach this group.”
