Frustration, scrutiny and dissatisfaction are just some of the words that could describe the Lancers’ 2013-2014 basketball season. Not many sophomore basketball players are asked to carry a team on a nightly basis. Then there’s Jack Staub, who averaged 17 points a game, including a 29-point performance against Westminster earlier this year. Jack is one of the top offensive threats in Frederick County. The future of LHS basketball rests with Staub and the sophomore class.

“He’s a talented offensive player and an above average ball handler. He see’s the court very well. He finds players cutting and does a very good job at finding open teammates,” says head coach Tom Kraft.

“Jack’s a high-level basketball player that takes it to the rim strong. He finds open teammates cutting and he can also shoot the three-ball very well,” said senior forward Josh Slaughter.

“I’ve been able to score my whole life, but I like to do everything. I like playing defense, getting rebounds and getting the ball to my open teammates,” said Staub.

The young Lancer squad finished their season with a 4-17 record, losing in the first round of the playoffs but 10 of their 17 losses were by fewer than 10 points.

“This was a rough season in the win column this year. Our record does not show how hard we work and how talented we are. Every single game we were right there, we just couldn’t find a way to get through it,” said Staub.

The heart that lies in the Lancer basketball organization is in the sophomore class and it’s no secret that Linganore basketball is built for the future. This past season’s team that had four sophomores and six juniors were one of the youngest teams in the area.

“We have a talented sophomore class. We’re only going to get better,” says Kraft.

The sophomore class that features Keegan Lane, Thomas Lang, Carter Schmidt, Jack Staub and even this past year’s JV-standouts Tyler Fleagle and Jake France will be a force to be reckoned with two years down the road.

Staub, who stands at 6’2’’ and weighs in at 205 pounds, has the physicality every coach desires.

“He’s very physically strong; and he’s tough to stop inside. His shooting percentage inside the paint is better than most high school players,” says Kraft.

“His aggressiveness brought another dimension to our team. He has the ability to finish when he gets to the rim,” said Slaughter.

“Being physical and playing defense is something I like to do. I’ll do whatever it takes to help my team out,” says Staub.

Jack knew he found his passion when he picked up a basketball for the first time.

“I picked up a basketball for the first time when I was two or three years old and have been playing ever since,” said Jack.

At the age of 5, Jack started playing on his first team and then made his way to play for his middle school team where they went 21-1 and won the championship in his 8^th grade year.

“I’ve been watching him play since middle school and all throughout high school. What impresses me about Jack is how much he has worked to get better year after year,” said Kraft.

Coming out of middle school, Jack was praised by his coaches for his work ethic and how much he keeps improving, “What impresses me about Jack is how much he has worked to keep getting better year after year,” says Kraft.

Jack then earned a spot on the junior varsity team his freshman year.

“The thing that impresses me about Jack is his ability to adjust to every level. Last year he made the adjustment from middle school to high school, and this year he made the adjustment from JV to varsity,” said Kraft.

“The physical standpoint of making those transitions is really different, but hard work pays off,” says Jack.

Staub averaged seven rebounds a game this year and is a catalyst on offense, “Jack doesn’t get enough credit for his passing ability. He has made some passes this year that has had us coaches looking at each other like, did we just see that?” said Kraft.

“We knew coming into the season that Jack was going to be a big part of our offense, and he was,” said Slaughter.

Jack’s leadership on and off the court is just as vital to his team’s success as his offensive ability, “Jack leads by example; he loves being around his teammates and is one of our hardest workers in the weight room. He hits the boards hard. He works hard on offense and defense and the other players see that,” said Kraft.

“When teams have Linganore as the next team on their schedule, Jack will be in that conversation as one of the players they’re going to have to stop,” said Kraft.

Staub spends countless hours in the gym, improving whatever he needs to do to reach the next level.

“In the summer, I’ll shoot and work on the little things to improve my game. Basketball is a given talent to a point. You have to work hard in the gym two or three hours a day in order to get better,” says Staub.

Jack will be entering his junior year next year and eyes a state championship in the future, “In two years from now I can see us winning a state championship,” said Staub.

“I see Jack in two years being one of the top players in Frederick County, he’s going to draw a lot interest from colleges,” stated coach Kraft.

Staub hopes to continue playing after high school, “This summer I’m going to hit the gym hard and work on being more physical when I take the ball to the rim. Help side defense is also an area where I’m going to work to improve at.”

With a combined record of 8-34 the past two seasons, Linganore basketball’s key to success is with Staub and the sophomore class as they look to next season.

Gallery • 12 Photos

Jack pulls up for a jump shot against rival Urbana. Photo courtesy of Pete Austin.