TWHS' Kelsey Lang -- A Presence in the Paint

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THE PRESENCE IN THE PAINT

The Woodlands' Lang Big-Time Talent on City's Top Team
by Austin Staton

Standing at 6-foot-4, The Woodlands’ Kelsey Lang creates an intimidating presence in the paint for the Lady Highlanders. Off to an impressive start this season, the class of 2013 post is asserting herself as one of the premiere recruits in the country.

During her sophomore campaign, Lang netted less than nine points and seven boards pet outing. Following an intense summer on the AAU circuit and more time in the weight room, Lang has developed a comfort in the high post and has The Woodlands off to one of their best starts in program history.

“I’ve been lifting weights a lot and I’ve gotten stronger and more aggressive. I’ve been able to go to the hoop stronger as well as post up stronger this season,” said Lang of her improvements this season. “The AAU circuit is a lot more competitive and all of the teams are really strong. Playing against that competition just helps me improve my game and forces me to get better on the high school circuit.”

Through the first 20 games of the 2011-12 season, Lang has upped her scoring average to over 14 points per game in an offense that features both a solid inside and outside game. With the ability to run the floor, connect on outside shots while converting a turnaround jump hook, Lang is garnering interests from some of the top collegiate programs in the country while keeping the Lady Highlanders as one of the top-ranked teams in the state.

“We have a balanced team which really helps if opponents decide to double-team either the posts or the guards,” Lang explained. “We have a lot of good players and we all work well together. Hopefully we continue to work well this season while continuing to win.”

While most post players with her size often get labeled as being one-dimensional on the floor, Lang prides herself on her diverse game. As coaches say, you can’t teach size and length but the tools that the junior standout features only make her that much more impressive on the hardwood.

“I’ve been told that a lot of post players usually can’t shoot but I can,” said Lang. “I can knock down an outside shot and post up. Also, I’m able to get up and down the floor which helps with a lot of fast breaks and helps the flow of the offense.”

While The Woodlands is gearing up for the rigors of district play, Lang insists that there is always room for improvement both individually and as a team.

“I really want to work on my post moves and being stronger and more aggressive going to the basket and the lane,” said Lang. “Our goal this season is to go as far as we can in the playoffs and hopefully we can get to state; that’d be amazing. We are just going to take it game-by-game.”