Story by Cary Stemle
Photos by Chris Wasson
It was a typical scene. Romeo Langford driving toward the basket, a Bedford North Lawrence defender trying to cut him off at the top of the key.
A whistle blows, signifying a foul, and and then, a voice of experience comes from the Bedford sideline — not snarky, not loud, just matter-of-fact.
“I used to get that call,” Damon Bailey says, remaining seated at the scorer’s table end of the Stars’ bench. “He’s better than I was. He doesn’t need ’em.”
It’s not every day that the all-time leading scorer in Indiana high school basketball history is in the house with a current star who’s moving up that list. But it happened at New Albany’s Doghouse Friday night, where Langford and running mate Sean East were feted on senior night, then led their team to an 80-52 victory to extend the home winning streak to 41 games.
Breaking the record was always going to be a tall order, and with no more than eight possible games left, it’s almost certainly a dead issue. And yet, though no one will likely admit it, the Stars took direct advantage of their opportunity to make sure Langford didn’t rack up another big scoring night on their watch. They slowed the pace on offense, sent two or three defenders at Langford, and limited him to a modest 25 points.
The Bedford approach has been tried on many occasions this season, particularly by the more overmatched teams, and as usual there were benefactors. Junior Derrick Stevenson drained three early three-pointers as New Albany led 15-7-after one quarter and 31-15 at the half. Shannon again directed the team to ratchet up its pressure defense and try to bust the slow pace, and it worked again as New Albany scored 49 points in the second half. East had 25 over the final two quarters on his way to a career-high 30, on 8 of 13 three-point shooting.
“They weren’t guarding me,” East said. “I don’t know if it was the game plan, or they were gonna let me get off. I was just shooting it.”
It was an emotional night as the two seniors were showered with standing ovations during the pre-game ceremony. Langford briefly dabbed his eye when he hugged his mother, Sabrina, then grinned sheepishly as his father Tim held up the plaque, resembling Romeo’s No. 1 jersey, that had been made up for the occasion.
Langford and East wait to head onto the floor for Senior Night festivities. (Photo by Cary Stemle)
In his pre-game talk, Shannon told the underclassmen to play the game for Langford and East, and vice versa, “to get them ready for next year. Tonight is huge when it comes to that, because as far as home games, these two are handing off the baton tonight. They’re not done for the season — we’ve got a long way to go — but they’re done at home.
“And they’ve done it with class. They’ve never been in an ounce of trouble the whole time they’ve been here. … Many of you are like that too. That’s character. It’s never gone to their heads, and it could have. … So let’s make sure we remember that next year when they’re gone. Tonight is about this game, and this game only.”
After the game, Langford talked about his decision to not attend prep school after his freshman season. The fan support “means a lot,” he said. “It shows how much the community cares about me. I’m glad I stayed here all four years.”
East said his feelings ran the gamut. “Sadness — no more playing” at the Doghouse, he said. “Happy, moving on. … You don’t go too many places where it’s committed like this and (people) come out every week and give you love and support.”
What will he miss about the Doghouse, itself?
“The loudness. Everybody wants you to do well. Nobody’s wishing bad on you, even if you’re doing badly they’re picking you up. It’s all good and sweet.”
Shannon believes East should land at a Division I school, and Friday’s big game may have helped that cause as he got invited to Muncie.
“Going to Ball State tomorrow?” the coach asked about an hour after the game, as East milled around with supporters and Langford worked through a massive line of autograph-seekers.
“Yes.”
“Thanks for telling me,” Shannon said, laughing. “Have a great day. That’ll be a lot of fun.”
Sorta like having Damon Bailey come to town for Senior Night.
