By Cary Stemle
MADISON, INDIANA — Perhaps the best thing that could be said after Saturday’s Hoosier Hills Conference contest between New Albany and Madison was that it was over. The Bulldogs won 68-37 in a game that was originally scheduled for Jan. 12 but postponed because of a winter storm.
Coming off a 53-point effort at Providence on Friday, Romeo Langford scored 31 points in front of another set of road fans who repeatedly chanted their wish that he go to IU. But the Cubs faithful didn’t get the full Ro Show, as Madison spread the floor on offense and sent three or four defenders at Langford for much of the night.
The result was a game best described as disjointed, in a packed-to-the-rafters old-school gym that felt oddly inert (and plenty stuffy on a misty night).
New Albany coach Jim Shannon was visibly frustrated on the sideline after his star was constantly bumped and nearly clotheslined a couple times. Madison drew a flagrant foul as Langford streaked ahead on a second-quarter breakaway.
The extra attention paid to Langford gave the crowd a glimpse of his play-making abilities, as he found teammates for open shots. Derrick Stevenson buried three three-pointers en route to a nine-point first-quarter, matching Langford’s output as New Albany led 20-11 after one. The Class 4A No. 3 Dogs (19-1, 5-1) outscored Madison 18-5 in the second quarter, and 19-9 in the third. The Cubs (7-13, 1-5) took the fourth frame, 12-11.
East shook off a slow start to finish with 18 points. Stevenson finished with 12.
Afterwards, Shannon demurred when asked to characterize the game.
“I’m glad it’s over,” he said, and quickly pivoted to talking about Friday’s game against Bedford North-Lawrence at the Doghouse. “It’s time to move on, get ready for Senior Night. Ro and Sean have had an illustrious career at New Albany, and it’s fitting for them to go out next Friday at our place against a really good team with a storied past. I’m looking forward to that.”
Bedford, of course, is where Damon Bailey played and is now an assistant coach. Langford now stands at 2,740 points, with an outside chance of breaking Bailey’s career scoring record of 3,134 points.
The Doghouse will be super-charged on Friday as the home team sends its senior stars off in style and tries to extend its lengthy home winning streak. If you’re fortunate enough to be in the house, try to take in the moment — chances are we’ll never see another one like it in these parts.
