FUTURE Forecast

CRYSTAL LANGHORNE

If Crystal Langhorne had picked up a basketball earlier in life, she might have developed into a decent player. But the senior at Willingboro High in New Jersey didn't start playing until the eighth grade.

She's turned out to be a little more than just a decent player.

Langhorne, a 6'2'' forward, is one of the best prep girls in the country and one of the few true low post players. A dominating inside force, the lefty averaged 25 points and 15 rebounds per game as a junior and 26.5 points and 18 boards as a sophomore.

It certainly didn't take her long to learn the game.

"I played softball in the seventh grade," says Langhorne. "My brothers played basketball so I decided to play my eighth grade year. I was okay. I wasn't really good but . . . I was okay. I kept playing and noticed I was getting a lot better so I decided to stay with it."

An AAU All-American and MVP, she helped the Philadelphia Belles-Lynch to the 16-and-under National Championship.

Athletically gifted, Langhorne is relentless in the paint.

"My strengths are rebounding and finishing - that's what people tell me," says Langhorne. "A lot of people say it's my rebounding. I just try to get the ball - wherever it's at."

As a sophomore, she once grabbed 28 boards in one game.

"I play hard. I rebound. I'm a low post player," she says. "I play more on the low block. I'd rather drive than shoot. I go to the high post, but I usually drive and I favor the left side."

Langhorne hopes to improve on her ball handling and extend her shooting range beyond 15 feet. Going into her senior year, she had never hit a 3-point basket.

Willingboro coach Guy Fowler says Langhorne is not just a back-to-the-basket player. He plans to use her more on the perimeter in her senior campaign.

"She has a nice outside shot," says Fowler. "She played the three a little last year. She just needs to be able to break it down on the wing facing the basket. She has good touch, just has to develop other aspects of the game."

Langhorne worked on her game during the off-season. Her East team went 5-0 in the USA Basketball's Youth Development Festival.

"My confidence got higher because I played so well. It was just a fun experience," she says.

In October, she ended a recruiting battle, choosing Maryland over Connecticut, Virginia and Florida.

"It's just the connection with the head coach," Langhorne says of Maryland coach Brenda Frese. "I like the school and everything. It was really tough. Even though they are totally different programs, it was hard."

Langhorne hopes to help turn the program around at Maryland. The Terrapins finished the 2002-03 season 10-18, including 4-12 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

"I just want to play hard and win games my freshman year and play well," she says.

Fowler believes her overall game will be showcased, especially as her perimeter skills improve.

"She will dominate in a few different ways than she has in the past," he says. "She works hard, has a good work ethic. She has a lot of great tools, really good footwork, her hands are soft and she's more athletic than most 6'2'' players."

While the sky is the limit for Langhorne in college, her focus is on leading the Chimeras back to the state championship. Willingboro lost in the final last year after winning the title two years ago.

"My goal is to win a state championship. That's really where my goals are and to get better as a player," she says.

Getting better is something Langhorne has done at a rapid pace. Considering she did not take up the sport until the eighth grade, she has certainly come a long way in a short period of time.

How good would she be if she had started earlier?

"If I had played when I was younger, I'd probably be a little better, but I can't help that now," she says.

"She would probably be even better but you never know," says Fowler. "She's a late bloomer. She's learned a lot over the last few years."

Copyright Ashton International Media, Inc. Feb 2004
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