THE CLASH

Social media sports pundit, Chandler Tennant of @614_uniswag on Instagram described it as the "Game of the week."

In his usual prediction videos he went on to further say, "It's what we've all been talking about all year."

The defending Columbus City League champ Northland visited Centennial, Dec. 12. Northland entered the game with a 1-3 record versus Centennial's 4-0 start of the season. Despite having the lesser record, there wasn't any reason for Northland to not feel like it couldn't win. The Vikings had beaten Centennial 50 straight times over the last 25 years.

With that being said, Centennial's head coach Shawn Williams Jr. said, "I looked at it at the beginning of the game, I told them, 'This team has never played Northland and I don't care about any of the other year. It's just about this team specifically.'"

The two programs that are seen as the best in the North Division of the City League did not disappoint the many spectators in the gymnasium known as The Galaxy as Centennial went on to improve to 5-0 after edging out Northland, 65-61, in its most narrow margin of victory for the season.

Northland (1-3), which has had a different starting line-up in each of its four games, welcomed its final two pieces to the team. Forward Daneal Krylov, a transfer from New Albany, made his debut and center Pharoahe Zaire, a transfer from International, was medically cleared the night before the game. Zaire did dress but is expected to make his debut in competition on Dec. 16 at home against East.

The 6-foot-7 Krylov and 6-foot-5 Owan Mburugu gave Northland a size advantage which it hoped would bother Centennial. After trailing 5-4, the Stars went on to outscore the Vikings 14-8 for the remainder of the opening quarter as Centennial featured a balanced attack with Keon Bonner, Cam Johnson, Kalifa Sow and Tristan Moore each scoring four points. Their efforts allowed Centennial to take an 18-13 lead into the second quarter.

Northland played its best basketball of the game offensively and defensively in the second period. The Vikings' two big men were a load to deal with as Mburugu scored seven points and Krylov followed up with six. Centennial's top big man Angelo Diedalis did his part to hold his own with the Northland frontcourt. He scored six of his 13 points in the second quarter while also hurting Northland with rebounds on both the offensive and defensive ends.

Northland won the second quarter 21-12 and took a 34-30 lead into the intermission.

After a rough start to his season, senior Ke'Ondre Tubbs found his shooting touch for Northland. The muscular senior guard made his first three-pointer of the game in the second quarter. After the half, Tubbs knocked down a second triple along with scoring a two-point shot which was a positive for the Vikings. The negative for Northland in the third quarter came in the form of the aforementioned Cam Johnson.

The six-foot sophomore, who posted 25 points to lead all scorers, shined in the third quarter. Johnson hit two threes in the third period, leading Centennial with 10 of its 18 points in the quarter. Northland's three losses have been by an average of just 5.3 points. The Vikings have fallen victim to being out performed at the perimeter.

In its three losses, Northland has given up 18 three-pointers, while making just 10. In Northland's loss to Columbus Academy on Dec. 6, the Vikings gave up four three-pointers to Charlie Ruby. In its loss to Centennial, Cam Johnson nailed five three-point field goals. Those two players combine for nine of the 18 threes made against the Vikings in three defeats.

Despite Johnson's third quarter exploits, Northland entered the fourth quarter with a 49-48 advantage. Krylov made his presence known for much of the quarter as he attacked the basket to gain five points in the final period. He finished with 13. Mburugu led Northland with 18 points, but only one of those came in the fourth.

Diedalis found himself in a seesaw battle throughout the game against Krylov and Mburugu. When the game was close at the end, it was Diedalis who had the best final two minutes of any big man on the floor. He scored five points down the stretch including a dunk that made the Centennial fans reach a fever pitch as the gym shook with excitement.

Centennial also got 10 points from Tristan Moore. One of the more entertaining battles of the night was between former middle school mates Keon Bonner and Charlie Johnson who both attended Woodward Park Middle School. Bonner is Centennial's most talented scoring guard. Johnson of Northland is an undersized underdog who started the season by holding one of Ohio's top scorers, Jason Singleton of Columbus Academy to eight points.

Bonner, did a good job of not forcing shots, but he found himself tangled up a few times with Johnson. The Northland first year varsity player committed to making it a less than comfortable game for Bonner, who scored 11 points, making just four field goals.

Along with Mburugu and Krylov, Northland also got 11 points from point guard Diante James. James and Krylov combined for 10-13 shooting from the free-throw line.

Centennial will play to extend its undefeated season on Dec. 16 at Whetstone. The Braves are 1-2 and on a two-game losing streak. Whetstone suffered losses to Mifflin and Beechcroft last week, while being outscored by an average of 25 points in the two defeats. Centennial has beaten Whetstone four straight times over the last two seasons. Whetstone last defeated Centennial, Jan. 24, 2023 with a 76-43 win at home.

As mentioned before, Northland will host East. The Tigers are 2-1 and will face Franklin Heights today at 2:30 pm. Northland swept East last season with two double-digit victories.