Brighton's rebound
Date: 21-12-2006
Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamUnited States |
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Although he no longer plays for Brighton, Jace Tavita still weighs heavily on the minds of his former teammates - especially Ali Langford.
Langford did not take Tavita's transfer, to a prep school on the East Coast, well at all. The two had played together since junior high and Langford wasn't sure if he could enjoy basketball without his friend and longtime teammate out on the court with him.
One way he decided to cope with the move was by writing Tavita's name and jersey number on tape on his wrists, before each game.
"This season - I'm dedicating it to him, because he has been my point guard for five seasons," Langford said.
If Tavita catches word of how Langford has played in his absence, there's no doubt he would be pleased with the results. Brighton is certainly happy with what the junior has done for the team in the preseason.
Only six games into the season, he has emerged as the Bengals' best option on offense.
Langford is averaging 14 points per game and has scored 20 or more points in wins over Layton and Mountain View.
Brighton coach Lyndon Johnson said Langford brings an added dimension of athleticism to the team. If the Bengals can feed the ball to him, he will make good things happen.
"He's very active around the rim," Johnson said. "When he catches the ball inside, he's hardto defend."
Langford saw varsity time as a sophomore and he showed a few flashes of what he could do. But he did not have the strength to keep more experienced players from outmuscling him around the basket.
That's not much of a problem these days. Gaining strength was a point of emphasis in his offseason workouts and continues to be his focus with in-season conditioning.
"I've matured a lot more this season," Langford said. "It may not look like it, but I've been lifting a lot more weights this season."
He may not have the burgeoning biceps that will win him a bodybuilding competition, but Langford feels much stronger now than he did in his sophomore season. And it has paid off in the form of higher shooting percentages from the field and at the line.
Langford isn't the only one who has elevated his game after a season where Brighton started 6-3 but lost its final eight games and missed the playoffs. He feels his current set of teammates have an increased commitment to the team, and to basketball.
"We got people here that actually want to play," Langford said. "Last year, we had some football players [on the team] and they didn't really care because they did good in the football season."
A young lineup didn't help matters, either. The Bengals started three sophomores and, naturally, took their lumps against more-experienced Region 2 rivals.
What was once raw talent is much more polished now. Brighton has more depth than it ever could have hoped for in 2005-06. Johnson struggled to go beyond his starting five at times last season, but now he can go eight or nine deep, when necessary.
Langford has confidence the Bengals can capitalize by winning a region title.
"Personally, I believe if we play team ball and play great together, we're going to take first in region," Langford said. "Write it down. Jot it down. Do whatever it takes."
Langford file
* After a quiet sophomore season, Ali Langford has emerged as Brighton's leading scorer this year, averaging 14 points per game.
* Langford is motivated to perform at a higher level as a tribute to longtime teammate Jace Tavita, who transferred before the season started.
