City League Report - Opening Week
Columbus City League tips off league play Tuesday night
COLUMBUS, Ohio - - The three-time defending City League champion may have their biggest City League north test in their run, meanwhile the south division may be as wide open as it has been in years. With the action tipping off, preview what’s going on in with the Central Ohio’s most unpredictable league.
City League North:
Looking for a fourth straight City League title will be an intriguing ride for the Northland Vikings, who have started the season with two losses, one who made the regional final in their division, Bishop Hartley, and state runner-up, Columbus Academy. The losses have not stopped senior point guard Diante James from having another excellent start to his season.
James is putting up over 20 points per game so far and sophomore Vandell Slade is looking like a promising young guard as well. This is not the Northland team that we will see at the end of the season, so it remains to be seen the real ceiling of the Vikings.
On their heels are the Centennial Stars who not only look like a favorite to win the City League, but a real candidate to make playoff noise.
Head coach Shawn Williams has his team off to an unbeaten start with wins over Columbus Academy, Worthington Christian and Independence. They finished second in the north last season and with the way the rules are set up, this Friday’s contest against Northland will go a long way towards who represents the north in the championship game. If Centennial can win the game, they are in firm control to be the team from the City League north to head to the title game for the first time in the 2000’s.
Star junior Keon Bonner is leading the way, along with sophomore point guard Cam Johnson who is looking like a true Division 1 player so far. Senior Angelo Diedalis is controlling everything on the defensive end and making big plays on offense, making this team one that’s difficult to beat.
