Prep b BB: Langborg sails alone

By Ed Piper

Ryan Langborg, the 196th-ranked high school basketball player in the U.S. by 247sports, showed outstanding outside and inside offensive skills, besides blocking a few shots on defense, in a 79-61 loss by La Jolla Country Day to Damien in the BSN Sports Showcase December 15 at Carlsbad High.

Unfortunately, the stellar Princeton commit had to operate mostly alone, because Coach Ryan Meier's other star, 6'10" Jayson Taylor, continued to sit as he did the night before in the Beach Bash showcase at Mission Bay High.

"I think it's tendinitis," said Meier of his center's limiting factor. He didn't indicate when his other stalwart might return.

In the meantime, Langborg, a 6'4" shooting guard, had to carry his height- and talent-challenged team much of the time in the second half of a difficult contest against a talented squad from up north. These match-ups were likely arranged with the expectation all key hands would be on board, so the lack of half of the Torreys' biggest guns changes the equation.

Langborg showed passing skills, as well as excellent marksmanship from long range against Damien. He can jump, too, which is a common skill among all the top-rated players--none in the Larry Bird mold of astronomical court I.Q, without the attendant natural physical abilities.

Of good size at the guard position, he drove from the top of the key, and he was able to hang in the air and create improvised shots close to the basket against taller defenders.

La Jolla Country Day began the second half down 44-29 to the Spartans (from La Verne in Orange County). Guard Ray Lu, the Little Engine That Could, worked hard, as did 6'3" forward Sam Coleman, alongside Langborg to close the gap to 56-48.

Ryan's drive to open the fourth quarter cut an 11-point edge to eight again, 60-52. Damien's advantage bulged to 21, 75-54, before settling to the final 18-point deficit.

The night before, in the small Mission Bay gym, Langborg experienced the same "It's down to me" syndrome with his compadre Taylor watching from the bench. Orange Lutheran, which of course "doesn't recruit", as per CIF regulations, squashed and out-ran the local Torreys, 89-71.

Lu, the pepper-pot point guard, isn't a proficient outside shooter, so the big Orange Lutheran team knew it didn't have to worry about anybody besides Langborg on the floor. I think Ryan, a fierce competitor, is team-oriented. But it's hard to create and pass to teammates when they are over-matched, even smothered by the opponent's defense.