COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Roosevelt Osborne has waited 18 years for this. For the first time in his Centennial coaching career, Osborne, the longest tenured coach in the City League, has taken down Northland.

In an all out thriller on Tuesday at Centennial, Osborne's young Stars made clutch play after clutch play down the stretch to take down the Vikings, 69-63. 

Just three minutes into the fourth quarter, it looked as if Northland was primed to take control.

After facing a 52-45 deficit early in the fourth, Northland responded with an 8-0 run triggered solely by senior guard N'Keeley Elmore. As Elmore's driving layup put the Vikings ahead 53-52 with 5:12 to go, Northland looked ready to do what it has done for the last 13 years - grind out another North division opponent looking for an upset.

That didn't happen.

Trading blows back and forth, Centennial and Northland went down to the wire in the final five minutes. 

As Elmore had a three-point play that put Northland ahead 61-60 with 1:38 to go, all pressure was on Centennial.

Moments later, Centennial struck back, as Cameron Kates connected with Jaylen Gilbert for a tough right handed layup, putting the Stars ahead 62-61 with 1:14 to play.

Northland wasted no time taking back the lead as a mid-range pull-up jumper from Makhale Massey gave the Vikings a 63-62 lead with :58 to go. 

Tuesday's star off the bench, Centennial sophomore guard Taemarr Gunnell hit the biggest shot of his young career. Driving left and pulling up just inside the free-throw line, Gunnell drained a tough jumper to put the Stars ahead 64-63 with 41 seconds remaining. 

On the following possession, Gunnell, who was the best perimeter defender in the game, forced Elmore into a tough spinning move in the lane. Showing up in the right place at the right time, Centennial's lone senior Myles Martinez took a charge on Elmore with 21 seconds to go, giving the Stars the ball back with a one-point lead.

Gilbert was fouled on the following possession and went to the line for a crucial one-and-one. Converting on the front end, Gilbert's second attempt missed.

Right then was where Centennial sophomore guard Travonne Jackson made the play of the game.

Grabbing a huge offensive rebound between two big Northland defenders. Jackson smartly passed the ball out to the top of the key to Martinez, who was fouled with 14 seconds to go.

With the game in his hands, Martinez calmly knocked down the ensuing free throws, putting Centennial ahead 67-63 and all but icing Tuesday's showdown.

With Northland missing its final shot, Jackson was rewarded for his hustle, as the 6-foot-3 sophomore scored a breakaway layup as time expired to officially slam the door shut on the Vikings.

In a thrilling finish, Centennial's young roster, which featured four sophomores on the court for long stretches of the game, seemed to learn how to win on Tuesday. Grinding out an opponent that hadn't lost to the Stars since before every player on the floor was born, Centennial showed toughness, resilience and composure when it mattered most.

Martinez led the Stars on Tuesday, as the team's only senior went for 21 points. Finishing several tough buckets at the rim, Martinez was money down the stretch, knocking down six of his last seven free throws. 

In a game where its front court dominated, Centennial received huge showings from junior forward Kelvin Gilliam and Gilbert. The 6-foot-4 Gilliam was outstanding, finishing with 16 points and four blocks while Gilbert added a double-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. 

While he settled for jumpers in the first half, Gilbert got back to his bread and butter in the fourth quarter, executing around the rim and dominating the defensive glass.

Gunnell was amazing off the bench, giving Centennial huge two-way production, as his quickness and elite speed disrupted the flow of Northland's offense. The sophomore finished with eight points, none bigger than his go-ahead basket with 41 seconds to go which gave Centennial its final lead of the game. 

Fellow sophomore Travonne Jackson added eight points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals. Showing off his high upside, Jackson seemed to calm down in the second half, playing some of his best basketball yet. 

Yet another sophomore, point guard Jaylon Jackson had a great defensive showing, finishing with four points, five rebounds and two steals, as he also gave Northland fits as a point-of-attack defender that used his size and physicality to his advantage.

In limited minutes, Kates provided Centennial with some valuable possessions in the fourth quarter, as his four assists in the final six minutes made a huge impact. 

For Northland, Massey led all scorers with 24 points. Knocking down four catch and shoot threes and finishing everything at the rim, Massey showed why he is one of the elite sophomores in the area. 

Elmore scored 10 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, taking the game in his hands and giving Northland everything he had. The 5-foot-10 senior added five rebounds, seven assists and five steals, playing a terrific game on both ends.

Coming off the bench for 12 points, junior guard Devan White gave Northland great energy. No other Viking added more than seven points, as Northland's offense seemed to stall out after scoring 19 points and knocking down five threes in the first quarter. 

For the first time in more than 20 years, Centennial took down Northland, but more importantly, put itself back in the race for the City League North division. Heading to Beechcroft on Friday, Centennial can force a tie for first if the Stars are to take down the Cougars.

Already beating Beechcroft the first time around, Centennial's matchup on Friday is the biggest in recent memory for the program.

Taemarr Gunnell (5'10 PG / Centennial / 2021): When Gunnell entered the game, something changed in the gym as the 5-foot-10 sophomore gave Centennial everything he had. Locking up on the defensive perimeter, Gunnell was the best point-of-attack defender in the game. Able to move his feet against Elmore, Gunnell, who has elite quickness and speed, forced the senior to his off hand and into several tough shots. Finishing with eight points and two assists, Gunnell played a great game, as he remained in control and didn't get sped up at any point. Gunnell has the tools to be an elite perimeter defender, which can change a game like Tuesday's, as Northland relied on Elmore to create most of its offense. A sophomore stock riser in the City League, Gunnell is a player to keep an eye on and someone who should continue to earn major minutes for Centennial. 

Makhale Massey (6'3 WG / Northland / 2021): Opening the game by knocking down three catch and shoot threes in the first quarter, Massey showed why he is one of the most dangerous scorers in the City League. Finishing with a game-high 24 points, Massey had a highly efficient outing, as he scored most of his points off movement and away from the ball. Knocking down four catch and shoot threes and two mid-range jumpers, Massey also scored every one of his attempts at the rim on Tuesday. The 6-foot-3 sophomore is a Division I prospect that regional programs should begin to familiarize themselves with. 

Myles Martinez (6'7 PF / Centennial / 2019): The Ohio Dominican baseball commit continued what has been a tremendous senior year. Martinez led all Stars with 21 points, scoring a few tough buckets through contact at the rim in the first half and closing the game with six of his last seven free throw attempts in the second half. The 6-foot-7 forward is a highly skilled post and fluid athlete that can really move his feet on the perimeter. Martinez has transition handling ability, as he can grab rebounds and start the break. A stronger at-the-rim finisher than any time before in his career, Martinez plays with toughness and physicality, while also having the feel and IQ to step up and make key plays like the crucial charge he took with 21 seconds to go. 

N'Keeley Elmore (5'10 PG / Northland / 2019): As we've stated many times before, we absolutely love the leader that Elmore has grown into. In a game where he struggled to score for most of the game, Elmore was not discouraged, as he impacted Tuesday's contest in every single way. Leading his team in rebounds, assists and steals, Elmore did everything possible to lead the Vikings on the road, scoring 10 of his 15 points in the final quarter. Elmore sparked the crucial 8-0 run that got Northland out of danger while also scoring a go-ahead bucket with 1:38 to go. With a few junior college offers already, Elmore is deserving of an offer from any juco program that is in need of a floor general that will go all out for you every night. 

Kelvin Gilliam (6'4 PF / Centennial / 2020): Gilliam had his breakout game on Tuesday, as the thick junior post went for 16 points and four key blocks. The Centennial forward holds his ground extremely well in the post, as his strength and wide frame also help him finish around the basket through contact. Gilliam's top play came in the third quarter, as he connected on a smooth righty hook shot over a 6-foot-9 Northland defender. Defending without fouling, Gilliam blocked four shots at the basket and made Northland think twice about going inside on him. The junior showed off his athleticism in the third quarter, as he was ripped at half court by Elmore but raced back and blocked his shot off the backboard in transition. To move like that at Gilliam's size was impressive, as the big man showed off great mobility and athleticism. If Centennial can get similar production like Tuesday from Gilliam the rest of the way, the Stars will be a major force in the City League. 

Devan White (5'11 PG / Northland / 2020): Coming off the bench and providing Northland with great energy, White was stellar in stretches on Tuesday. Finishing with 12 points, White was a force on both ends, as the junior moves really well on the perimeter and can stay in front of some of the best ball handlers in the City League. White had a few impressive scores, as he split a double team and converted a tough floater in the lane, then later in the game, drove hard left, absorbed contact and knocked in a soft finish off the glass. Knocking down a three in the first quarter, White showed off a versatile offensive game, as he also added four assists on the night. 

Jaylen Gilbert (6'4 PF / Centennial / 2021): Gilbert was frustrating to watch in the opening stages of the game, as he settled for tough jump shots and did not put his size to use. That all changed in the second half, as he scored nine of his 13 points after halftime, all of which from mid-range and in. A 6-foot-4 forward with a thick frame and broad shoulders, Gilbert moves really well and can change speed and direction as a ball handler. Able to absorb contact and finish around the rim, Gilbert is most effective when he plays like he did in the second half on Tuesday. His punishing style around the rim is what helped him become the most dominant freshman in the City League last season, as it was refreshing to see him adjust his game when he needed to.