As it gets colder outside, the Orange Pit is heating up.

The Columbus East boys’ basketball team is preparing to take on the season head on.

“We want to win conference for sure, and as a team our goal is to win sectionals,” senior point guard Parker Chitty said.

Last year, the Olympian basketball team won 14 games and lost 9. The team has high hopes for the upcoming season.

“We hope to play together as a team and win as many games as we can this year,” senior guard Zach Sanders said.

Placing second in the HHC Conference and coming up short in the sectional semifinals last season just made the Olympian basketball team hungrier for a victory this year. Another goal heavy on the team’s hearts is winning the game against Columbus North, the crosstown rival.

“As a team, we need to just work together and communicate a lot better. Personally, I want to beat North,” said senior forward Kevin Williams.

The Olympian basketball team will play their first home game on December 8th against Heritage Christian. JV at tips off at 6 pm with varsity to follow.