Vikes correct sluggish start

After a rough start, Northland High School Boys' basketball squad got its first win of the 2025-26 season.

The International Lions showed up ready to play, hoping to catch the Vikings asleep at the wheel. The visiting Lions got off to a 6-0 start as CJ Foster, Michael Tucker and Abdoulaye Coulibaly all scored early baskets inside the paint.

From there, Northland went on a 15-2 run, but it wasn't pretty. Errant passing, bad ball handling, blown layups plagued the Vikings in the opening half. The smallest player on the court, Andre Jans gave Northland problems in the early going. With an estimated height of about 5-3, the firey guard from International sneaked around snatching steals and deflecting passes. Along with hitting a first half three, his play helped to keep International in the ball game.

After leading 30-15 at the half, the Vikings improved defensively and were more careful with the basketball. International only posted six points in the second half as Northland scored 44, resulting in a 74-21 finish.

As Jans did for his team, Northland's Charlie Johnson became a headache for International. A bit taller than Jans, Johnson is far from a towering presence. He caused many International turnovers but the difference is Johnson was also able to have an effective night on the offensive end. Johnson scored 15 points, 12 of those points came in the second half.

The Vikings also got a strong offensive effort from Vandell Slade. He was the team's most consistent scorer in the first half as he posted nine of his 20 points in the first quarter, outscoring International in the first period. Slade, who is now averaging 13.6 points per game, nearly outscored the International squad for the entire game. The Northland player who did achieve that feat was Diante James. He scored a season's best 24. The senior guard, who can be a thrilling showman at times, poured it on after a slow first half with just five points.

James got hot in the third period nailing seven shots on his way to 17 points in the third quarter. James is Northland's top scorer so far this season. He is averaging 21.3 points after his team's first three games of the young season.

As the Vikings wrapped up the final quarter outscoring International 18-2, Johnson and Slade combined for 16 of Northland points in the fourth period.

Northland (1-2) will journey to Centennial (3-0), Friday, Dec. 12, in a game of the two teams that most basketball experts in Columbus, believe are the best of the North Division in the Columbus City League.

As Northland has started its season short of players and missing starters in each of its first three contests, Centennial has gotten off to one of the best starts of the season. After beating 2024-25 state runner-up Columbus Academy 76-68, Centennial outscored its following opponents Worthington Christian and Independence 148-72.

Coached by the Shawn Williams Jr, Centennial placed second to Northland last season in the division. The Stars lost a late season heartbreaker at home to Northland, 54-52. James led Northland in that game with 15 points, six assists and four steals.

International will attempt to get its first win on Dec. 12 at East. While also playing on Dec. 9, East earned a road win at Beechcroft to improve to 1-1. It was East's first win at Beechcroft of the current decade.