East Columbus girls basketball comes up short in 1A state title game

"We will be back," affirmed Brown. East Columbus will graduate four seniors, but certainly has a chance.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WWAY) – The best season in program history came to an end for the East Columbus girls basketball team Friday night.

“Every loss is a learning moment,” said Head Coach LaToya Brown following the loss. “We want to learn how to handle pressure more.”

East Columbus fell to Cherokee Friday in the 1A state championship game 74-32. The Gators finish the season 26-2. Cherokee finishes 29-1, but their one loss came to an out-of-state opponent.

The Gators really struggled with the full court press the Braves started with. In the post game press conference, Cherokee head coach Ann Gardner lauded her team’s ability to switch between zone and man looks, sometimes going back and forth in the same play. East Columbus had 21 first half turnovers. Coach Brown said they tried many different things, but the Braves’ pressure busted the Gators.

“We haven’t seen this speed,” Coach Brown said of the Cherokee team. “It became more of an emotional game because of the fast pace. They rushed. That’s the press’ job.”

2023-24 was a historic season for the Gators and the best in the program’s existence. Columbus County residents from beyond Lake Waccamaw were pulling for East.

“It meant everything,” said Brown of the support. “Just seeing my community come together, we had everyone from Columbus county rooting for us. That shows unity.

“We will be back,” affirmed Brown. East Columbus will graduate four seniors, but certainly has a chance.