Langston’s 39 outshines all
An injury-plagued senior season ended on a high note for RaShawn Langston.
The eStem guard scored 39 points to lead Team Johnson to a 113-106 victory over Team Coleman on Tuesday night in the 17th annual All-Metro Basketball Classic at Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock.
Team Johnson was coached by Little Rock Fair Coach Charlie Johnson. Little Rock Hall Coach Jon Coleman led Team Coleman.
Langston made seven of Team Johnson’s 15 three-pointers.
“He did a great job,” said Johnson, who led Fair to the Class 5A quarterfinals. “I wish I would have had him on my team [at Fair]. We were one player away.”
Langston injured his left knee early in the 2015-2016 season, but he returned to the Mets’ lineup in the second half of their Class 4A-2 Conference season. He was the only eStem player in Tuesday’s game, representing the Mets against several of the top boys basketball players in Pulaski County from Class 7A, 6A, 5A, 4A and 3A schools.
“It’s just a blessing,” Langston said. “I’m just glad I get to play with my friends.”
Team Coleman led 6259 at halftime. The first half featured three seven-minute quarters. Langston scored 22 of his 39 points in the first half.
The second half, which had a 10-minute fourth quarter and an eight-minute fifth quarter, was back-and-forth, but Team Johnson took control in the fifth quarter.
Fair guard Jerrick Cole keyed a 9-2 fourth-quarter run for Team Johnson to help his team take a 79-75 lead. Langston hit a three-pointer, then Cole followed with four consecutive points to give Team Johnson a 77-75 lead.
Team Johnson led 87-86 going into the fifth and final quarter. Little Rock Hall guard Dayton Artis, who had 26 points for Team Coleman, pulled his team within 94-92, but Langston responded with his sixth three-pointer for a 97-92 lead.
Langston’s seventh three-pointer and a layup helped Team Johnson extend its lead to 108-100 with 3:00 left.
North Little Rock forward Morris Talbert led Team Coleman with 27 points. Baptist Prep center Brandon Vanover had 16 points.