East Seniors Wrap Up High School Basketball Careers

Ella Anthis and Kenzie Cheek hope to finish strong as Columbus East hosts the sectional tournament next week.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 10:47pm

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Columbus East seniors Ella Anthis and Kenzie Cheek are wrapping up their high school basketball careers, hoping for one last hurrah as the Olympians host the sectional tournament next week. The duo took different paths to the varsity team, overcoming injuries and adversity to become leaders on a young squad. While Anthis plans to pursue a career in healthcare, Cheek is considering playing college basketball before potentially following a similar path.

Why it matters

The story of Anthis and Cheek's high school basketball journeys resonates with the Columbus community, as they represent the perseverance and leadership that have defined the Olympians' program. Their senior leadership is especially crucial this season, as the team is largely composed of freshmen players.

The details

Anthis and Cheek took different paths to the varsity team, with Anthis initially focused on soccer before discovering a passion for basketball in elementary school, and Cheek playing multiple sports before settling on basketball. Both overcame injuries and adversity during their high school careers, including Anthis missing time with an ankle injury and Cheek dealing with a concussion and illness. As senior leaders and captains, they have helped guide the team's younger players.

  • Anthis and Cheek will hope for one last hurrah when Columbus East hosts the sectional tournament next week, beginning with a matchup against East Central on Tuesday, January 28, 2026 at 7 p.m.
  • Anthis was presented a Gift of the Game Scholarship by the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame at the team's regular-season finale against Oldenburg Academy on Friday, January 24, 2026.

The players

Ella Anthis

A senior at Columbus East High School who initially focused on soccer before discovering a passion for basketball in elementary school. She overcame an ankle injury earlier this season and plans to attend IU Indianapolis to study health science and pursue a career in dentistry.

Kenzie Cheek

A senior at Columbus East High School who played multiple sports growing up before settling on basketball. She dealt with a concussion and illness this season but is now fully healthy. Cheek is considering playing college basketball but is also leaning towards attending IU Indianapolis to study pre-dental hygiene.

Brelyn Pool

The third senior on the Columbus East basketball team, along with Anthis and Cheek.

Kaitlyn Phillips

The current head coach of the Columbus East girls' basketball team, who has guided Anthis and Cheek through the past three seasons.

Jacqueline Burton

The oldest living member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame on the women's side, who chose Anthis as the recipient of the Gift of the Game Scholarship.

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What they’re saying

“At first, I was like, 'There's no way I'm playing basketball. I'm definitely a soccer girl.' That changed whenever I went into basketball camp. I liked it a lot, and I had a good coach back in elementary school. That brought me into it, and I stuck with it.”

— Ella Anthis (therepublic.com)

“When I was a kid, I was always trying out different sports, and one afternoon my neighbors came over and were telling us about tryouts and I should look into it, and I was like, 'OK.' Richards had this summer league. I started playing with them in third grade and doing that, and I've stuck with it ever since.”

— Kenzie Cheek (therepublic.com)

“They are really good kids. They're really good humans. They come from great families. They're great kids who are going to do great things in life. The situations and adversities both have faced in the last three years that I've been here have been significant. The way that they've been able to stay resilient and get through injuries and get through team losses and get through all the other things that they've been through and still be able to lead their team day-in-and-day-out. Most people do not even have any idea of the pain and injuries they've fought through these last couple of years.”

— Kaitlyn Phillips, Columbus East Girls' Basketball Head Coach (therepublic.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The story of Ella Anthis and Kenzie Cheek's high school basketball careers at Columbus East highlights the perseverance, leadership, and community spirit that have defined the Olympians' program. As they wrap up their time on the court, their example will inspire the next generation of players to carry on that tradition.