Crusaders' State Dream Stopped in Semifinal, but Special Season Still Carries Meaning

Columbus Christian girls basketball team falls short in ICSAA tournament, but looks to rebound at NACA Tournament

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Columbus Christian Crusaders' girls basketball team saw their run in the Indiana Christian Schools Athletic Association (ICSAA) state tournament come to an end with a 68-44 semifinal loss to Clinton Christian. Despite the disappointing result, the Crusaders' 19-4 season was still filled with heart, growth, and togetherness that the team can build on going forward, including a trip to the National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) Tournament.

Why it matters

The Crusaders' semifinal loss was a tough way to end what had been a special season, but the team's resilience and the lessons learned will be valuable as they shift their focus to the NACA Tournament. Though the state title dream was stopped short, the Crusaders' season still carried a lot of meaning and set a strong example for the program's future.

The details

The Crusaders struggled with turnovers and foul trouble in the first half, falling behind 34-16 at halftime. Despite the early deficit, the team continued to fight, led by strong efforts from Emma Murray (20 points, 12 rebounds) and Olivia Wise (10 points, 11 rebounds). However, Clinton Christian's hot shooting from the perimeter proved too much for Columbus Christian to overcome.

  • The Crusaders lost to Clinton Christian 68-44 in the ICSAA state tournament semifinal on Saturday.
  • The Crusaders finished the season with a 19-4 record.

The players

Emma Murray

A standout player for the Crusaders, Murray turned in a monster effort in the semifinal game with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Olivia Wise

One of the Crusaders' most important players, Wise managed a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds despite foul trouble that disrupted much of her afternoon.

Clinton Christian

The Crusaders' opponent in the semifinal game, Clinton Christian shot the ball extremely well, especially from long range, which proved too much for Columbus Christian to overcome.

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What’s next

The Crusaders' boys and girls teams will now turn their attention to the National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) Tournament in Dayton, Tennessee, where they will compete Wednesday through Friday. The Crusader girls will open against a 30-0 Mt. Pleasant Christian team from Blountsville, Alabama.

The takeaway

While the Crusaders' state tournament run came to a disappointing end, the team's resilience, growth, and togetherness throughout the season have set a strong foundation for the program's future. The lessons learned and the example set will be valuable as the Crusaders shift their focus to the NACA Tournament, where they will have another opportunity to compete against top competition and continue building towards their goals.