Basketball Recap: East Columbus Takes a Tough Playoff Loss

It's hard to turn regular season success into postseason wins, a fact East Columbus can now relate to. They took a 56-51 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Neuse Charter Cougars. The Gators' loss signaled the end of their six-game winning streak.

Malia Graham

Steals

02/25/25 @ Neuse Charter	8
02/14/25 @ West Columbus	5
02/11/25 @ Heide Trask	10
02/06/25 @ Whiteville	6
02/04/25 @ Pender	3
+ 10 more games

When it comes to explaining why East Columbus lost on Tuesday, don't look at Malia Graham. Despite the final result, she dropped a double-double with 24 points and 19 boards. Graham is also on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in each of the last 15 games she's played. Another player making a difference was Malayah Hines, who dropped a double-double with 14 points and ten rebounds.

Even though they lost, East Columbus smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 20 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least nine offensive rebounds in 48 consecutive matchups dating back to last season.

Neuse Charter's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Yedidia Tsolenyanu led the charge by dropping a double-double with 14 points and 11 boards. The team also got some help courtesy of Lily Temple, who dropped a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

East Columbus' defeat dropped their record down to 15-5. As for Neuse Charter, they pushed their record up to 19-7 with the win, which was their third straight at home.

East Columbus does not have any more games scheduled as of now. As for Neuse Charter, a feisty cat fight will be fought as the Cougars take on the Tigers at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Wilson Prep will roll in looking for their 19th straight victory, something Neuse Charter surely won't give up without a fight.