Early on, the Vikings seemed to have control of the game, jumping up 16-5 early on Liberty, forcing 7 turnovers on the first 14 possessions of the game, and forcing another 3 missed shots as well in the frame. The Patriots led at 5-4, but a 12-0 run by Northland was sparked by domination on the glass, with second chance points fueling the  run. Jalen Robinson and Devon Scott owned the glass in the first quarter, snatching down 7 rebounds in the first quarter alone, 4 of those being on the offensive end.

The second quarter favored Liberty, coming firing back against the once-invincible Northland team, turning a 12-point deficit into a 3-point game at the half, only trailing 28-25. The Patriots did not hesitate to fire up the long ball in the 2nd either, taking 7 threes and making four of them, including three of four straight possessions, cutting into the Vikings lead. Jake Bischoff for Liberty was a key part of the run, knocking down 4 threes in the game, and he led scoring for Olentangy Liberty with 17 points.

The lead however would balloon back up to 7 for Satch Sullinger’s Vikings, with offensive rebounding being the culprit, getting second and third chances per possession for Northland, with Robinson pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds, along with 13 points. The push by Northland was also aided by defense, only allowing one field goal in the first 4:15 of the second half. However, Liberty would scrap it all together again to end the quarter only trailing 39-35. The fourth quarter would see Northland expand the lead to the point it became too much to overcome.

Photo provided by Central Ohio Photography

Before Trey Burke takes his talents to Ann Arbor to become a Michigan Wolverine next fall, the senior guard of state powerhouse Northland looks make a run for a championship. Following a stellar regular season campaign in which Burke was second in all scorers in the region, at 23.9 ppg, the sharp shooting guard has his team in position for another deep postseason run.

After blowout victories over Groveport and Franklin Heights, in which the Vikings outscored their opponents 162-63, Northland is matched up against a surprising Olentangy Liberty team hot off two victories over Hilliard Darby and Delaware Hayes. The Patriots of Liberty have showcased great defensive skills thus far in the tournament, something reflective of many top OCC teams around this time of year.

With Burke in the backcourt, Satch Sullinger needs to make sure his team can handle the pressure and hit tough shots, something they had trouble doing last year in a blowout loss to Gahanna. But this Northland team is different than the ones in years past. Led by the dynamic Burke, Northland showcases a great deal of athleticism, most notably in the frontcourt behind 6’8″ juniors Devon Scott and Jalen Robinson, who each lead Central Ohio in field goal percentage at 74% and 72% respectively. For Liberty to have a good chance at winning Saturday, the Patriots need to slow. it. down. Decreasing the tempo against Northland has proven to be effective in recent memory. In a 43-41 victory over Brookhaven earlier in the season, Satch Sullinger’s team was exposed in a game where they should have dominated. Brookhaven coach Hali Robinson nearly lulled the Vikings to sleep with a slowed tempo, that had the Bearcats within one point with less than 30 seconds remaining. Northland would go on to win that game, but it showed many around the city that the Vikings can indeed, be beaten. Nearly a month later in a trip up north to Lakewood St-Edward, Sullinger’s team would lose their first regular season game in nearly two years, 84-81, but this is the last loss that the five time reigning City League champs would suffer on the season. If Liberty can increase pressure right from the jump, and slow down the tempo of Burke and his offense, an upset could be foreseeable. But with Trey Burke in the backcourt, and a monstrous frontline, Liberty is going to need their A game on Saturday to topple the second ranked team in the state.

PREDICTION: Northland wins 65-50

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Behind John Draper and OSU bound Ron Tanner, Eastmoor Academy upset a talented Marion Franklin team on the road Friday Night, 72-63. Holding highly touted prep Elijah Macon to only nine points, the Warriors outscored their counterparts 32-21 in the middle quarters to bring a 48-40 lead into the final frame. Draper, who led all scorers with 20, persistently got into the lane to cause trouble for Marion Franklin. For the Red Devils, Jeremy McCoy and Nate Spears were the engine on offense, combining for 33 points. McCoy led all players in 3-pt field goals and was deadly from the field early on. Leading 17-16 after one quarter of play, Marion Franklin wouldn’t be able to sustain another lead for the rest of the games as Eastmoor held the usually explosive Red Devils to six point in the second quarter. For Marion Franklin, this is their second loss in as many games in league play, as they were upset by Independence earlier in the week. With a talented squad like they have, it will be interesting to see how they respond. Eastmoor on the otherhand is rolling as of late, jumping out a 3-1 record, 2-0 in the City.

• Deangelo Gray of Briggs led the City in scoring Friday night, going off for 28 points in a 90-67 victory over downtrodden West.
• Elias Osbourne(17 pts) and Wesley Russell(24 pts) helped lift surprising Centennial over Beechcroft, 66-62. Osbourne had a steal which led to a three point play late in the game to secure the win for the Stars, who have jumped out to a 3-2 record. The Cougars, who were 17-9 last season, have fallen to 1-3 thus far this season.
• Trey Burke and Northland took care of Whetstone in convincing fashion last night. Leading 44-10 at halftime, the Vikings would go on to win 67-38. Northland is now 3-0 for the 2010 campaign.
• Brookhaven rolled over Mifflin at home last night in an 83-67 victory. Randall Clarkson’s 27 points lifted the Bearcats to 4-0, and 2-0 in the City.
• Walnut Ridge continued to impress in the South region, blowing out Independence, 81-59. Dwayne Bazemore’s 21 points were too much for the 76ers who were hot coming off a victory over the aforementioned Marion Franklin. Anthony Traylor added 17 points for the Scots who are now 3-1 on the season.
• Marquice Taylor and Africentric obliterated South last night in part of a 71-43 win. Taylor, who has scored 20 or more points in every outing this season led all players in that department last night. South, who hasn’t been good in any sport since the 90′s, dropped to 0-4 on the year.

Defending City League champion Northland found itself in a dog fight last night against Beechcroft. After the first horn, the Vikings held a four point lead. Behind Michigan bound point guard, Trey Burke, who lives for the big shot, the Vikings would benefit from his 32 points in an 81-62 victory. Burke would prove to be exceptionally clutch in the third frame, as the Vikings outscored their counterparts, 24-9, which would prove to be monumental in their victory. Fresh off the graduation of Jared Sullinger and JD Weatherspoon, Northland has shown that they are still the class of the city with convincing wins last night over Beechcroft, who was a solid team a year ago and Mansfield Senior, a consistent power in Northeast Ohio. Behind Burke, and the emergence of big men Jalen Robinson and Devon Scott, it’s unknown if any other league opponent can match up with the size and athleticism that Satch Sullinger’s team brings to the floor. In his senior season, Trey Burke finally has the keys to the offense, and with his 28.5 ppg that he has put up this far, it will be intriguing to see where he can take his team.

• Defending City League-South champs Marion Franklin were upset by rival Independence, 84-77.
• Coming off a winless campaign in 2009-10, the West Cowboys continued to struggle last night, losing to Ron Tanner and Eastmoor, 102-72.
• Behind Traevon Jackson, Westerville South squeaked out an OT victory over Reynoldsburg, 82-78. Jackson, who is heading to Wisconsin next fall, scored 27 for the Wildcats.

First Team:

G-Stevie Taylor (Gahanna-Lincoln)

G-Anthony Jackson (Gahanna-Lincoln)

F-Rob Brandenburg  (Gahanna-Lincoln)

F-Michael Green (Dublin Coffman)

C-Jared Sullinger (Northland)

Second Team:

G-Conner Viers (Dublin Coffman)

G-Brian Sullivan (Upper Arlington)

F-J.D. Weatherspoon (Northland)

C-Elijah Macon (Marion-Franklin)

C-Ralph Hill (Westerville North)

Third Team:

G-Trey Burke (Northland)

G-Kevin Gray (Reynoldsburg)

G-Sam Bott (Gahanna-Lincoln)

F-Brandon Tyler (Independence)

C-Max VanMeter (Westerville Central)

Special Mention:

Traevon Jackson (Westerville South), Oliver McGlade (Upper Arlington), Bradley Nettles (Westerville North), Mike Petrie (Beechcroft), Taylor Rieger (Olentangy Orange),  Brandon Rushton (Reynoldsburg)

Player of the Tournament: Stevie Taylor (Gahanna-Lincoln)

Coach of the Tournament: Tony Staib (Gahanna-Lincoln)

Picture/Moment of the Tournament:

With 5:30 remaining in the 4th quarter, Gahanna called timeout after some Northland pressure. Even with a 57-32 lead, some diehard fans believed that the Vikings could still make a run in the game. However, this back-door play called by Coach Staib sealed the deal, with a beautiful pass and an and one for Rob Brandenburg, the final piece of the regional championship puzzle was in place with this dunk.

(I’d like to give special props to Studio 187 for letting me use this picture)

For some teams, making it to the round of eight in the OHSAA Basketball tournament can be an entire dream in itself in any division. The Gahanna-Lincoln Lions had achieved that dream for the first time in school history. Not only was it the first regional final they had ever made it to, but it was the first district title as well. They had another hurdle to somehow climb Saturday night at the Fairgrounds Coliseum.  Standing in their way was #1 Northland (24-1). Not just #1 in the state, but #1 in the nation according to USA Today. They pulled off what some have been calling the greatest upset in the history of Central Ohio high school basketball tonight, dominating the Vikings 71-45, granting them the road to their first state tournament appearance ever.

However, the game did not start as planned for the OCC-Ohio champion Lions (26-0). They quickly fell behind 7-0 to the Vikings. But, Gahanna closed the quarter on a 10-5 run to stop the bleeding. The lead would be taken over by the Lions early in the second quarter, and would grow to 4 with 4:20 remaining in the half. Within a minute and a half, the margin would balloon to 26-18, while 3:03 remained on the Fairgrounds clock. The 7,000+ in attendance would erupt once more when horn for halftime rang with Gahanna holding a 33-22 lead on the four-time City League champions.

An 8-0 run by Gahanna to start the second half would make the roof nearly blow off the building once more. The three point shooting by Gahanna would extend runs all night. In particular, the hot shooting by Sam Bott, leading the team in threes with four tonight, really carried Gahanna to a new level when it came to stretching the lead. The Vikings would cut the lead to 13, but that would be the closest it would get the rest of the night. The Lions would hold the ball for the final minute of the quarter, only to have a shot miss off target, but still holding a 50-31 lead.

Another 5-0 run to start the quarter for the Lions would open up their biggest margin of the night to that point. Baskets would be traded between the schools for some time. A tough scene arose when Vikings coach Satch Sullinger subbed out his son, Jared late in the game, prompting a hug from father to sun that would bring the entire crowd on both sides to give a large round of applause to the two. Jared lead all Vikings in scoring with 24, but only three of his teammates scored as well. The final horn would buzz soon after that, bringing the Lions student section to give chants of  ”overrated”.

Next Friday night at 8:30, Gahanna will face Massillon-Jackson (23-2) for the right to go to the OHSAA Division I State Final at the Schott.

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Opinion: It’s the craziest game I have ever seen. Let me give all the credit first to Gahanna. I have never seen Northland like that. Gahanna just dominated. They had the Vikings on their heels the whole night. Also, every time Northland made a push, the Lions just knocked down another three. I’ve watched games at the Coliseum since I was 5 years old. It was the most packed, and the loudest I have ever seen the “Barn”.  As of crazy fan of high school athletics, it goes without saying that was easily the GREATEST high school basketball game I have ever seen. Easily top three in all-time upsets in my mind.

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OTHER CITY LEAGUE HEADLINES:

• Bitter rivals Brookhaven and Beechcroft battled all night, as the Bearcats came out victorious 63-61 in overtime behind Peter Kpan, who scored 19.
• Northland destroyed the hopeless Linden-McKinley Panthers 106-26, in part to Jared Sullinger and Trey Burke who combined to score 47 points.
• Winless West continued the trend last night, dropping another game, this time at the hands of South leading Marion Franklin, 90-55.
• East wins yet again behind the dynamic backcourt duo of Jerry Dixon and Jordan Laster, combining for 36 points in a 67-50 win over Whetstone.

• In his first season, Mark Sanchez already has the most playoff wins in Jets history.
• Michael Beasley guaranteed an “easy victory” over the Charlotte Bobcats yesterday only to lose 104-65.
• Both hockey teams in the Canadian province of Alberta lost by a combined 15 goals on Monday night.
• Tim Lincecum asked for a pay raise up from $600,000 a year to $13,000,000, 15x his current salary.
• Rasheed Wallace returned to Detroit last night, claiming the Palace was still his, only to be blocked three times in a 92-86 loss.
• The Dallas Mavericks extended their streak of one-point victories, in a 94-93 win over the Washington Bullets uhm i mean Wizards.
• The Nets only lost by 11 points on Monday night, a moral victory for a team that has a record of 3-38.
• Kelvin Sampson finally hung up the phone Tuesday night.
• Johnny Damon remains unsigned along with Miguel Tejada, that’s what happens when you’re 35 and think you deserve Albert Pujols money.
• Jose Canseco didn’t call anyone else out this week, a first for the washed up steroids user.
• Tiger Woods checked into sexual rehab this week, it’s a good thing that they have all male nurses there.
• Central Crossing boys basketball has a three game winning streak.
• Northland won by 68 on Tuesday over Mifflin, 30 more than the total points scored the Punchers.
• Alex Rodriguez will play for Haiti in the next World Baseball Classic, his third team in three renditions of the tournament.
• John Wall’s name was once again mentioned on Sportscenter last night, breaking Tim Tebow’s former record of 20 consecutive shows.
• The color man for the Michigan-Wisconsin game on Wednesday said this when referring to a shot attempt by the Wolverines’ Manny Harris, “They better hope State Farm covers the damages from that brick.” And we thought Bob Griese was bad.
• Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady have sufficient votes for the All-Star Game, funny when McGrady has not played this season and Iverson quit on the Grizzlies then moved back to Philadelphia to ask for more shots.
• Evan Turner continued to dominate on Monday, abusing the Northwestern Wildcats for 20 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists.
• RIP Gaines Adams

If you have anything you’d like to share from this week, comment below!

The problem thus far for East was that they could score, but could they maintain leads? In a 78-61 victory over McKinley, the Tigers answered that question. With 27 points coming from Dixon, the balance in scoring was key to the win as two more players scored in double digits (Jordan Laster, 18 pts, Lipson, 16 pts). Building a 41-35 lead by halftime, the defensive pressure would need to be increased to secure a win.

Serving as the mantra of the game, the Tigers answered the call. Limiting the visiting Panthers to nine points in the third quarter, a 35-26 run to end the game let off a sigh of relief for the home fans that witnessed an 11 point lead given up in the final minutes during Tuesday’s loss against Mifflin. Dixon was the player of the game, leading everyone in scoring with 26 points. Two of those came on a poster dunk in the second quarter where a deflected pass left Dixon with open court. Setting up for the dunk, the trailing defender came into the picture in hopes of stopping an easy two. No such feat would be accomplished for Linden as Dixon went right up and over the opposition for a dunk that should be put posters all through the Capital City.

Dixon did more than dunk on  Friday, knocking down three huge shots from behind the arc essentially giving the Tigers the balance they needed for a victory. Three decades removed from the glory years at East when Tiger fans saw the teams from 1967-69, go 70-1 with two state championships in ’68 and ’69, now this program is hoping to return to that status, or at least close to it. Improving to 1-1 on the season, the next crucial game for the Tigers comes on January 5th at Northland, arguably the best team in the nation. If Dixon can keep dominating on both sides of the ball and can get help from his teammates, the Tigers have a small chance of upending the Vikings.