COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In what was a highly anticipated showdown between two of the best freshmen in Central Ohio, Jahki Calloway and King Kendrick, it was the balance of Bishop Hartley’s offense that got the job done as the Hawks escaped with a 47-43 over Northland.

It started as a defensive battle, with both teams clamping down on the perimeter and forcing misses from the other team. Kendrick scored five of his 17 total points in the opening frame.

Two triples from Hartley’s Joey Wooten and Warren Markwood were enough to create some separation and go into the second quarter with an 11-7 lead.

Bishop Hartley controlled the second quarter, turning the Vikings over and getting out in transition for easy baskets. Hartley’s JuJuan McCrady and Jordan Coyan combined for eight points in the second and the Hawks took a 25-15 lead into the locker room.

Jahki Calloway, who took a hard fall in the first half, did not return for the second half.

Northland, in true City League fashion, began to fight back, as Drew Roland turned up his defensive intensity and got back-to-back steals that led to immediate points.

Eli Monroe came to play on Wednesday and he truly asserted himself in the third, grabbing four rebounds in the quarter and providing a spark for the Northland offense with his toughness inside.

Senior guard Davion Bridges drained two three’s in the quarter, including one to tie the game at 31 which was the ending score of the third quarter.

These teams gave the audience an electric, back and forth final eight minutes. One that included a questionable technical foul call on Northland coach Tihon Johnson and a clutch triple from King Kendrick.

But in the end, Jaden Calloway’s free throw making and a huge quarter on both ends from Pharez Nicholas, plus the game-ending dunk on the entire Northland student section put an exclamation point on this game.

The balanced scoring attack of Hartley was led by Nicholas and his 14 points, next was Coyan with eight, followed by Jaden Calloway’s seven. Denim Cook had five, Markwood and Joey Watson each pitched in three, Ethan Godfrey scored a bucket and Jahki Calloway hit a free throw to round out the Hawks scoring. Hartley will host DeSales on Friday night.

Northland was paced by Kendrick’s 17, Roland and Monroe added 10 each and Bridges had six. Northland travels to Centennial Friday in what promises to be an exciting matchup of backcourts.

Game MVP: Pharez Nicolas (Bishop Hartley Sophomore)

High Scorer: King Kendrick (Northland Freshman)

Hustle Player of the Game: Jaden Calloway (Bishop Hartley Sophomore)

5 Keys

1. Depth: Hartley had nine players score, compared to Northland’s four. That type of balance and consistency across the board is tough for a team to beat.

2. Turnovers: In the second quarter, Hartley applied pressure on the ball and Northland coughed it a couple of times. The Hawks took advantage and opened up the lead in the second.

3. Tihon’s tech: Despite being one of the most mild-mannered humans I’ve ever encountered, Johnson got caught in an emotional moment as he slammed his hand on the scorers table. This caused a water bottle to fly in the air, and even though Tihon apologized to the table, it wasn’t enough to avoid a questionable tech at a time in the
game where it was teetering back and forth.

4. Free throws matter: Northland simply did not convert at the free throw line and Hartley did. The Vikings made five total free throws compared to the Hawks 19 made shots at the charity stripe.

5. Fighting adversity: Once Northland took the lead in the final quarter, it would’ve been easy for Bishop Hartley to lay down. But, this new coaching staff has instilled confidence and a new mindset in this group. It paid off in a major way against Northland.