New Look for Northland
Vikings make summer debut at Ohio State
Just one week and a day after the final day of school, the defending City League champions took the court at the Ohio State Men's Team Basketball Camp.
The Northland Vikings have won the last three city championships with players like King Kendrick who was the point guard from 2022-2024 as well as Nehemiah McMorris and Jaden Shoultz who were two top performers over the past couple of seasons.
The collection of Vikings that took the court on Friday, June 6, in the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio was a mix of some of the same faces with bigger responsibilities along with newer talents hoping to help make the 2025-26 season one of the best in school history.
Senior point guard Diante James, senior guard Ke'Ondre Tubbs and junior forward Owan Mburugu are three of the returning players at Northland that teamed up with senior transfer guard/forward Daneal Krylov who transferred from New Albany and junior center Pharoahe Zaire, a transfer from International High School.
The Vikings took on Mansfield Senior in their first of three games. The ten o'clock a.m match-up, saw Northland take the court with a massive front-line. Zaire is listed at six-foot-nine and 340 pounds, Krylov looks to be around 6-7 and Mburugu stands at 6-5. With the quick 5-10, James leading the charge, Northland found itself behind 11-10 early on but the size difference took its toll on the much smaller Mansfield.
Zaire's picks cleared the way as James hit shots at will. Krylov's length and quickness was overwhelming and Mburugu's size and athleticism also contributed to a 19-2 run as Northland led 29-13 in the first half. The Vikings took a 39-29 lead to the intermission before keeping their foot on the gas to earn the 73-51 runaway victory.
"We beat a lesser team," head coach Tihon Johnson said to his team after the win. "We did some good stuff but we got a lot to work on and we need to do it right now." He demanded more from his starters for the remaining two games in the afternoon.
There was a slightly scary moment in the second half when Zaire collided into a barricade after trying to save a ball. His knee hit the barrier which caused him to visit the trainer. After a short break of stretching and movement he said he felt better and returned to the game to score two quick buckets before the contest ended.
Zaire played his ninth grade season as the starting center at International High School where he was second on his team in scoring at 10 points per game and All-City Honorable Mention. He decided to play for Howard Recreation League as a 10th grader, while still attending International.
Krylov helped New Albany finish 21-5, while earning Special Mention All-OCC Honors. Ironically he was on the team that prevented Northland from winning the district championship. Krylov scored 18 points in that contest.
James is the team's returning top scorer. He averaged 14.6 points and 5.5 assists, leading the team in that category during the 2024-25 season. Mburugu was Northland's top rebounder last season at 6.9 boards per game.
Northland was slated to play against New Albany at 1 p.m. and Newark at 4 p.m.
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Alex Eala
Tennis has always been a sport where stories of discipline, sacrifice, and quiet resilience shape champions long before trophies do. In recent years, one name has steadily gained international attention for embodying those qualities with grace and ambition: Alex Eala. Still early in her professional journey, Eala represents more than individual success. She symbolizes a shift in global tennis, where talent now rises from regions once considered outside the sport’s traditional power centers. From junior Grand Slam glory to appearances on the professional tour, Eala’s path reflects patience, planning, and belief. Her performances, including moments connected to tournaments like the Auckland Open and the ASB Classic, show a player learning to translate promise into lasting impact. Early Foundations of a Rising Star Alex Eala’s story begins with a strong foundation built on family support and access to elite training. Unlike many players who rise through local circuits alone, Eala’s development was guided by a long-term vision. That vision led her to the Rafa Nadal Academy, an environment known for shaping technically sound and mentally strong athletes. At the academy, Eala refined her baseline game, improved her court movement, and learned how to compete with intention rather than emotion. These lessons were evident in her junior career, where she achieved milestones that placed her among the most promising young players of her generation. What stood out was not only her results but her composure. Eala played with a maturity that suggested she understood tennis as a marathon, not a sprint. Junior Success and Global Recognition Eala’s junior achievements opened doors to the international tennis spotlight. Winning major junior titles placed her name alongside players who would later become tour regulars. For many fans, this was the first time they encountered Alex Eala, and it quickly became clear she was not just another short-term prospect. Her left-handed style added variety to her game, creating angles that disrupted opponents. Combined with strong court awareness, this made her matches engaging to watch and difficult to predict. Junior success, however, is only a stepping stone, and Eala approached the professional transition with measured expectations. Rather than rushing into high-pressure events, she balanced growth with experience, a strategy that often separates sustainable careers from fleeting hype. Stepping Into the Professional Arena The move from juniors to the professional circuit can be unforgiving. Higher intensity, physical demands, and mental pressure test even the most gifted athletes. For Alex Eala, this transition has been deliberate rather than dramatic. She has taken part in ITF and WTA-level events, gaining experience against seasoned players. Each match has contributed to her understanding of pace, consistency, and endurance at the professional level. Losses have been treated as lessons, and victories as confirmation of progress. Events connected to the Auckland Open and the ASB Classic are particularly meaningful in this phase. These tournaments attract a competitive field while still offering young players exposure to high-quality opposition. For Eala, participation in such events represents an opportunity to measure herself against established professionals. Auckland Open and ASB Classic: Learning on a Bigger Stage The ASB Classic, held in Auckland, is more than just a warm-up event for the tennis season. It has a reputation for blending experienced tour players with emerging talent. Competing in or around the Auckland Open environment allows players like Eala to experience elite tournament structures, media attention, and crowd energy. For a young athlete, these elements matter. They teach how to manage nerves, expectations, and recovery over consecutive matches. Even brief appearances in such tournaments contribute significantly to development. Alex Eala’s connection with events like the ASB Classic highlights her gradual integration into the professional ecosystem. Each appearance adds confidence and clarity about what needs improvement, whether it is serve consistency, shot selection, or physical conditioning. Style of Play and Competitive Identity Eala’s game is built around controlled aggression. She prefers constructing points rather than rushing winners, relying on precision and movement. Her left-handed forehand remains one of her most effective weapons, creating angles that pull opponents off the court. Equally important is her defensive awareness. Eala often turns defense into offense, a trait that reflects her disciplined training background. While power tennis dominates many modern matches, her style emphasizes balance and adaptability. As she continues to evolve, adding strength and depth to her serve and net play will likely be key areas of focus. These improvements often come with time, experience, and physical maturity. Representation and Inspiration Beyond the Court Alex Eala’s rise carries significance beyond rankings and results. She represents hope for aspiring players from underrepresented regions, proving that access to global stages is possible with commitment and support. Her journey inspires younger athletes to believe that tennis is not limited by geography. Every appearance she makes, whether in major tournaments or developmental events, reinforces the idea that talent can emerge from anywhere. This broader impact gives Eala a unique position in the sport. She is not only building her own career but also helping expand tennis’s global narrative. The Road Ahead The future for Alex Eala remains open and full of possibility. Tennis careers are shaped over years, not seasons, and her measured approach suggests a focus on longevity rather than quick success. Continued participation in international tournaments, including those linked to the Auckland Open and ASB Classic, will provide valuable benchmarks for growth. As rankings fluctuate and competition intensifies, the true test will be consistency and resilience. Based on her journey so far, Eala appears well-equipped for both. Final Thoughts Alex Eala’s story is still being written, but its early chapters reveal a player grounded in discipline, learning, and quiet confidence. From junior triumphs to professional challenges, she has approached each step with intention. In a sport where pressure can derail even the brightest prospects, Eala’s calm progression stands out. Whether competing in global events like the ASB Classic or continuing her steady rise through the tour, Alex Eala represents a future built on patience, skill, and belief. For tennis fans watching the next generation take shape, her journey is one worth following closely.
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