Slade slays Lions with 30

Last night was a bit of a tune-up as Northland (9-4, 7-1) completed its first of back-to-back games this weekend earning a 69-31 victory over International (2-10, 0-8) in Columbus City League North Division action.

The Vikings made the voyage to International, as they won their second win over the Lions this season. Led by Vandell Slade's first ever 30-point game, Northland's size, strength and kn0w-how overwhelmed International which gave the Vikings a hard fight in the first quarter. Just like the first time, when the two teams met on Dec. 9 at Northland, International found itself in a competitive contest after one quarter.

The first game saw Northland ahead 15-8 after being down 6-0 in the first. Yesterday, it was International who started slow offensively but charged back in the opening period. The Vikings tried to establish its offense in the low-post from the start of the contest. Pharoahe Zaire returned to his former school as a Northland Viking. He was one of the top players for International as a ninth grader during the 2023-24 season. In his first start of this season, he scored the game's first point after making the back end of two free-throws, just over one minute into the game.

With about 3:45 left in the opening quarter, after missed a free-throw, Pharoahe Zaire pulled down the offensive board and easily scored, making the it a 10-2 Northland lead. From there, Zaire's former teammate Abdoulaye Coulibaly caught fire for International as they outscored Northland for the rest of the quarter going on a 12-8 run. Coulibaly, who scored the Lions' first basket over Zaire, went on a three-point tear, knocking down three shots from beyond the arc during the run.

International's most exciting moment of the contest came at the closing moments of the first quarter as Michael Tucker received a pass from Andre Jans, who was heavily guarded. Tucker, was also well guarded by Northland senior guard Ke'Ondre Tubbs as he drove and was able to rifle off a buzzer-beating three, making the scored 18-14 at the end of the first period. Tucker was mobbed by his teammates and coaching staff.

From their Northland took control of things. Vandell Slade scored a career-best 12 points in one quarter. The sophomore small forward was untouchable for the most part as he scored in the half-court offense, and in transition, while making it a nightmare on defense for the International ball handlers. Northland outscored International 26-1 in the second quarter. International's only point came off of a free-throw from Tucker. While the Vikings didn't allow a field goal in the second quarter it scored 11 baskets of its own. Junior reserve forward David Sambie came off of the bench to score two of his three baskets during the second period. He finished the game with a season's best six points.

In the team's first game, a sluggish Northland led 30-15 at the half. This time Northland sprinted into the intermission with a 44-15 advantage. Slade, who scored 19 in the first half did the remaining of his scoring in the third quarter where he tallied 11 points. The 6-3 swingman outscored International by himself for the first three quarters of the game. Slade exited the third quarter with 30 points while International had 27 points.

International's star of the night continued to be Abdoulaye Coulibaly. Just as he did in the first quarter, he knocked down another three triples, tying a school record that he set this season with six made three-pointers. The senior scored 20 points. Unfortunately for the home fans, the rest of the International offense sputtered all night. The Lions made just three two-point shots the entire night. Northland wrapped up the night with 69-31 victory. It is the sixth straight win for the Vikings.

Pharoahe Zaire scored 10 points and Ke'Ondre Tubbs led Northland with three three-point shots of his own, on his way to nine points.

Today at 3:30, Northland has a big time test on its hands as it takes on Licking Heights on neutral ground at Ohio Dominican. After dropping its first three non-conference matches against Columbus Academy, Bishop Hartley and Euclid, the Vikings have won its two most recent non-conference matches against Westland and Delaware Hayes.

Licking Heights (9-3) is coming off of its best season in school history. Last year, the Hornets went 20-5 and were district champs for the first time. Led by the talented senior point guard Ta'Vyon Wright and bouncy energetic senior forward/center Nate Lovinsky, Licking Heights suffered two of its three losses by just two points.

On a fun note, Licking Heights' Wright and Northland's Zaire were teammates for one season at Woodward Park Middle School. This will be the first time they've shared the court in a high school contest.