This is the seventh story in Lancer Media’s 2015 Summer series: Most Likely to…

These feature stories highlight rising seniors who are becoming role models of Lancer Spirit.

He shoots. He scores!

Any fan of Linganore basketball knows the name Thomas Lang, also known on the court as “Bang Bang T Lang.”  A member of the varsity basketball team since his freshman year, Thomas has played a prominent role in the team’s success and is now looking forward to his senior season.

Thomas’ relationship with basketball dates back much farther than his freshman year; basketball has been a part of his life since the age of three, and he has always loved to play. In fact, basketball practically runs in the Lang family blood, and Thomas’ father, a former high school basketball coach in Montgomery County, has encouraged and influenced him throughout his life.

“My dad always pushed me to do better,” said Thomas.  ” He’s always there for moral support and adds to my competitiveness because I want to impress him and make him proud.”

His years of experience and love for the game have transformed Lang  into an athlete any coach would be proud of.  LHS Varsity basketball head coach Tom Kraft is no exception.  “In addition to his court vision, Thomas is an incredibly gifted athlete.  He has a gear that most other players just do not have,” says Coach Kraft.  “He’s one of the most intense competitors I have ever been around.  He understands that winning is a byproduct of hard work  and is not afraid of putting in the time and work to get better.”

Not only  does Thomas push himself to be better, he pushes his teammates to do better as well.  Kraft explains, “His attitude is that he wants to do whatever it takes to prepare to win, and he expects the same from his teammates.  He doesn’t like to make mistakes, whether in games or in practice, but when it happens, he doesn’t make excuses.  He just goes out and does his best to make the next play.”

Thomas’ combined attitude and athleticism helped allow him to lead his team all the way to the state semi-finals last season at the Xfinity Center.  Hundreds of members of the Linganore community took off school and work to cheer on Thomas and his teammates at the University of Maryland.

“I love playing for Linganore because of the support we get from the student section,” said Thomas.  “It’s also great getting to play with and against all my friends, which definitely adds to the competition.”

Next year will be Thomas’ last year as number “00” playing for the Lancers, and he plans to make it the best season yet.  He described his goals, saying, “My hopes for next season are that we will make it back to states and win the championship this time.

In March, Thomas was named The Frederick News-Post’s Athlete of the Week.  Read more about Thomas here or by visiting The Frederick News-Post website.