By Kyle McFadden
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LINGANORE- The folklore assumption of judging an individual based off cover appearance never seems to die as it still ripples on into the year of 2016. Being nestled in-between a series of cornfields and lauded for a premier public prep football team that’s recently churned out a couple of NFL players, those are probably the only two things that one could think of when the school Linganore comes to mind.
Entering the night with a squeaky clean 8-0 record, Linganore basketball has stirred chatter among the community, leading to filled stands and a crammed gymnasium. Fans that come on a regular basis know what they’re in for. Whereas the least informed will have to wait to see what unfolds.
On a frigid Tuesday night, Oakdale put No. 3 Linganore’s undefeated record on the line by slowing the pace of the game to their forte with crisp half-court offense, but it wasn’t enough, as Thomas Lang’s late binge powered the Lancers to a 56-48 victory.
“You definitely get your money’s worth when you a buy a ticket to come watch Linganore and Thomas Lang play,” head coach Tom Kraft said of Lang. “He’s just so stinkin’ fun to watch.”
When the game was on its heels, 36-34 in favor of Oakdale with just seconds remaining in the third, Thomas Lang hauled in a defensive rebound; and instead of nonchalantly walking it out until the end of the quarter, he had other ideas. Lang motored up the court, put on the brakes and knocked down a pull-up jumper at the buzzer while getting fouled in the process. He hit the ensuing free throw moments later to give his team a 37-36 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Lang then rattled off 16 of his teams last 23 points in the final nine minutes to help preserve the unblemished record.
“When you look at him, you may not think of the basketball player that he is,” Kraft said of Lang. “His basketball IQ, his quickness, his athleticism, his fundamental skill set … he’s a special, special player.”
When Lang hit his wizardly and-1 buzzer-beating jumper and converted on the free throw to conclude the third quarter, it gave his Linganore team a lead for the first time since the 3:10 mark in the first quarter, the longest they’ve trailed all season (19 minutes and 10 seconds).
“Composure, that was the key,” Kraft said. “It’s a luxury to have all that experience.”
After winning their first five games of the year by an average of 32.4 points, the last four games have all been decided by single-digits. No matter how games are won, it’s Lang who shows up in a variety of ways.
In the five blowout wins, Lang was out midway through the third quarter, and sometimes even halftime due to overwhelming dominance. However, Lang has tight-roped wins as of late; to county foe Tuscarora; Virginia’s South Lakes, the alma mater of NBA great Grant Hill; D.C. stalwart Cesar Chavez and then now to three-time state semifinalist, Oakdale.
“You just have to play confident basketball,” Lang said, who finished with 24 points, five assists and two steals. “If you don’t play confident, you won’t play well. It’s nice to be 9-0, but we ignore the undefeated thing. We’re 0-0 every game.”
As for Oakdale, the loss drops them to 4-5 on the year. The past three seasons, the Bears have had five losses for the entirety of a season. This year, they find their fifth loss in nine games.
“These guys aren’t used to losing,” head coach Terry Connolly said. “It (stinks), but we’re only going to get better and we expect to win more down the road.”
No. 3 Linganore will travel to Thomas Johnson on Friday and Oakdale will hit the road as well to face Frederick.
“This win feels tremendous,” Lang said. “(Oakdale) has beaten me by 30 plus points every game for the past three years, and tonight, we beat them. But we’re not done yet.”
Linganore’s Carter Schmidt finished with eight points and 10 rebounds. Oakdale was led by Cory Schlee, who posted 23 points and five rebounds. Sean McGaughey added 12 points and five assists for the Bears.
Staff photo by Scott Poole.
