#2 Columbus Northland defeats #9 Oak Hill Academy

• wes_mantooth

  

  Sullinger was pretty much taken out of the game offensively because of a very aggressive triangle and two, but Northland was still able to eek out a 1 pt win against Oak Hill.
• detectivegibbles

  I think this game showed why JD Weatherspoon got a scholarship offer from OSU. He can get to the bucket whenever he wants.
• wes_mantooth

  

  Honestly, it may have been the defense, but it was a pretty sloppy game. Northland's guards made some bad decisions with the ball, but to be fair, they were playing against a basketball academy. Weatherspoon is a beast....glad the Buckeyes got him.
• ross ford81

  Both teams played poorly. How can you be the No. 1 player in the country and not make a field goal? Burke was off. Staten was off. Just not the game expected.
• wildcats20

  

  Because he isn't the number 1 player in the country. Sully was exposed big time today by the defense from Oak Hill. Northland will be fine, I am definitely not worried about that. As wes said, they were playing a basketball academy and one of the best high school coaches ever in Steve Smith.
• thechosenone

  GREAT GAME. I disagree with poorly played ross ford. Oak Hill shut out Sullinger like they wanted and made him play out of his own game. They both executed their game plans pretty well except for Northland not getting Sullinger the ball. Great game to watch on ESPN. I watched them in the final four last year against SJJ.
• ross ford81

  Who did you see play last year against SJJ???
• irish_buffalo

  Coach Smith has a tremendous record, hurray!
  
  Oak Hill is a college team. How can you compete when you look to your bench and see kids that wont even get a sniff from a college recruiter while Coach Smith is sending in his 6th man who is heading to UConn?
  
  Today's game was sloppy. Either team deserved to win.
• ross ford81

  Northland I believe has 7 players with D-1 college offers already.
• North/Side

  Sullinger was playing with a broken nose and had to wear a mask for the first time (for some of the game at least, I'm watching a replay and see he no longer has the mask on in the 2nd half). Give him a break. Every player has a down game every once and while, but this game to me more proved just how talented and deep Northland as a team is. They beat Findlay Prep earlier this year without Weatherspoon and beat Oak Hill today with Sullinger having a off game.
• wes_mantooth

  

  North/Side wrote: Sullinger was playing with a broken nose and had to wear a mask for the first time (for some of the game at least, I'm watching a replay and see he no longer has the mask on in the 2nd half). Give him a break. Every player has a down game every once and while, but this game to me more proved just how talented and deep Northland as a team is. They beat Findlay Prep earlier this year without Weatherspoon and beat Oak Hill today with Sullinger having a off game.

  Even though he didn't score much at all, I don't think he played poorly. It is simple....Oak Hill took him away and forced Northland to beat them with others. He is usually playing against boys, but today he was playing against men(a recruited college team).
• devil1197

  Yeah, OH's defense was to not let Sullinger get any looks and force others to beat them.
  
  It worked for about 3 quarters.
• wildcats20

  

  I wasn't trying to say Sully isn't talented or anything like that. He's a stud and played a solid game without scoring, had something like 18(?) rebounds. Oak Hill did exactly what they wanted to do as far as not letting Sully win the game, JD just stepped up and played a great game.
• noreply66

  The guy brought down the boards
• irish_buffalo

  ross ford, thanks.
  
  Yes, obviously Northland is loaded, but with Coach Smith's 740-50 record they have gotten many a victory against teams that cant afford their talent. My comment was in regard to Coach Smith, which I started my post with.
• Midstate01

  

  I thought it was lame that oak hill went to a triangle in two. They have all d1 recruits, but they were that fearful of sully? Man up and see if you can stop him. Probably wouldn't have, but instead they still got beat. They ruined a game being broadcast nationally!
• thechosenone

  You guys also have to remember that scoring isn't everything. For some reason these days basketball is only about scoring. Rebounds, Assists, Steals, etc. are positive stats that lead to good things for your team. Sullinger did have 16 rebounds (2 Offensive, 14 Defensive) and one person on Oak Hill had half of that many (Roscoe Smith).
  
  Official Box Score:
  http://www.masslive.com/hoophallclassic/stats/2010/index.ssf?/hoophallclassic/stats/2010/sat_4.html
• wildcats20

  

  Midstate01 wrote: I thought it was lame that oak hill went to a triangle in two. They have all d1 recruits, but they were that fearful of sully? Man up and see if you can stop him. Probably wouldn't have, but instead they still got beat. They ruined a game being broadcast nationally!

  Why is it lame for giving your team the best chance to win?
• wes_mantooth

  

  wildcats20 wrote:

  Midstate01 wrote: I thought it was lame that oak hill went to a triangle in two. They have all d1 recruits, but they were that fearful of sully? Man up and see if you can stop him. Probably wouldn't have, but instead they still got beat. They ruined a game being broadcast nationally!

  Why is it lame for giving your team the best chance to win?

  Exactly. If they would have went one on one with Sullinger, they would have gotten killed. You play to win the game and their plan almost worked. Yeah, it does suck to watch because you want to see the stars shine, but it was their best shot to win the game.
• wildcats20

  

  Plus Oak Hill had a 6'11 and a 7 footer to throw at Sully. It was smart basketball to play the triangle and 2.
• majorspark

  

  I for one will take smart basketball any day. Offense sells tickets, defense wins game.
• HiddenGems

  Northland beat Findlay Prep(#1 in the nation) WITHOUT JD Weatherspoon! Northland beat a top team in the nation with their best player playing with A BROKEN NOSE FROM 2 DAYS AGO!!!!
  
  Jared found a way to leave his mark on this game with his close to 20rebs and 3 blocks. The depth of Northland was why he did not score much. If it was needed to win, he would have done it. Northland is a regular HS team and has a pile of D1 players:
  Sullinger - OSU
  JD - OSU
  Trey - Penn St
  Jalen - WVU
  Devon Scott - James Madison offer among others
  Potts - James Madison offer among others
  K.Lewis - D1 as well
  others who may develop into D1 or high D2 offers as well.
  
  I agree with the D Oak Hill thru at them myself! However the attention alone given to Jared further shows that he is the best player in the nation when an Academy can't check him one on one.
  
  Here's the scary thought: Northland is undefeated and has beaten these 2 amazing teams without being fully loaded versus either!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IMAGINE what they would look like with their 2 Seniors playing together at 100% along with all their quality depth!
  
  Simply put, this is the best team and player in the nation..........
• vball10set

  ross ford81 wrote: Both teams played poorly. How can you be the No. 1 player in the country and not make a field goal? Burke was off. Staten was off. Just not the game expected.

  the wet blanket speaks...now go away-nobody like you
• hookshot

  A lot of people have expressed disappointment in the game and the level of play. Does "vball" stand for volleyball -- if so, maybe that's what you know something about.
• thechosenone

  ross ford81 is always a downer about everything, a big troller
  definition of a troller:
  http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=trolling