Hartley edges Northland by five

When Northland High School's boys basketball team usually begins a season, its roster is usually loaded with an assortment with local, regional and even national stars.

This year, due to injuries and other obstacles, Northland started the season with a limited amount of players, most of whom aren't as well known as Vikings that previously played in the green and gold.

Nov. 29, saw the Vikings debut for the 2025-26 season in a home contest against Bishop Hartley as the two respected basketball programs of Columbus, Ohio battled in a tight game. Hartley sneaked out of the Northland gym with a 57-52 win.

Despite not having the full availability of his roster, Northland head coach Tihon Johnson did not want his players that suited up to be content with hanging in a tough battle. "I'm not a survival guy," Johnson said. "We're the top of the food chain type guys. That's my mentality and that's what I'm trying to [tell my players]. They don't know what to expect in terms of being in battles like this and playing a championship team like [Hartley]. It starts at home, then in the classroom and it transfers into practice and then into the game."

While Northland fell short, it was very well prepared, playing most of the game with a lot of patience which allowed the team to take care of the basketball as it led for much of and deep into the fourth quarter.

The Vikings top scorer was senior point guard Diante James who did his best to keep his teammates engaged with decent ball movement on his way to 19 points.

"[James] is one of the best point guards in the state bar none," Johnson firmly declared after the contest. "I expect [a strong performance] out of him every night. He gave everything he had. We just came up short."

After trailing 13-11 when the first quarter concluded, James and sophomore guard/forward Vandell Slade outscored the entire Bishop Hartley offense. James and Slade combined for 14 of Northland's 16 second quarter points which helped the Vikings take a 27-24 advantage into the locker room at the half.

The third quarter ended in a tie as both teams were even at 37-37. Bishop Hartley's Caleb O'Neal scored seven of his 11 points in the third period. He was one of just two players from his team that scored a field goal in the third quarter. Northland made four field goals during the quarter as four Vikings hit one shot apiece in the penultimate period of the game.

The one-two punch of Jahki Calloway and Rowan Smith delivered the visiting Hawks from the agony of defeat combining for 18 of the 20 Bishop Hartley fourth quarter points. Both Calloway and Smith led Bishop Hartley with 17 points in the win. Along with James' aforementioned 19 points, Slade posted 16 points.

Bishop Hartley had a significant edge at the free-throw line making 16 of its 24 attempts. Northland made three of its seven free-throw shots. The win allowed Bishop Hartley to improve to 1-1. Bishop Hartley lost its season opener, 59-46 at Newark on Nov. 26. The Hawks will take on Eastmoor on Dec. 5, in its home opener.

Northland, now 0-1, will continue its season against state runner-up Columbus Academy, Dec. 6 at home. Coach Johnson will try to duplicate what Northland Columbus City League rival Centennial did on Nov. 29. Centennial upset Columbus Academy 76-68.