2008 Woodie Awards
An uncommon past
Greg Schimmel
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Sports
When her brothers and friends convinced Crystal to try out for her junior high school team in eighth grade, her first experience with organized basketball, it was just another extracurricular activity, and wasn't to interfere with going to school or church.
But when it soon became clear that Crystal wasn't just any ordinary player, she was able to find a balance.
'Our Crystal?'
Crystal played for a local AAU team for two seasons, and her supreme natural talent caught the eye of coach Kevin Lynch, who recruited her to play for the Philly Belles, a large AAU organization that plays a national schedule, during her sophomore year of high school.
This meant extensive travel on weekends, and up to that point the Langhornes didn't allow Crystal to play on Sundays, the day they all went to church.
Members of the Brethren Church, the Langhornes didn't see the benefit of Crystal missing church to play basketball.
Never considering themselves basketball experts, they simply didn't realize how good she was, even when everybody was trying to let them know.
"When I first went to visit her parents about playing for the Belles, I told them 'Your daughter is one of the best players in her age group in the country,'" Lynch said. "And they started laughing, 'Our Crystal? Our Crystal?' They didn't see it, and it kind of caught them by surprise how talented she was."
Crystal's brother Cryhten talked with his parents about the benefit of allowing Crystal to gain exposure on a national level, and since they always wanted the best for their children, the Langhornes changed their rule.
"My oldest son spoke to us and said, 'Crystal's good. If she's going to go on to big things, you have to let her play on Sundays,'" Juel said. "So we did, and we're glad we did too."
Crystal starred for the Belles, and led them to the 2003 AAU National Championship and was named the MVP of the tournament.
Her parents would go to the games, but basketball was far less than the life-or-death experience it is for many parents of elite youth players.
But when it soon became clear that Crystal wasn't just any ordinary player, she was able to find a balance.
'Our Crystal?'
Crystal played for a local AAU team for two seasons, and her supreme natural talent caught the eye of coach Kevin Lynch, who recruited her to play for the Philly Belles, a large AAU organization that plays a national schedule, during her sophomore year of high school.
This meant extensive travel on weekends, and up to that point the Langhornes didn't allow Crystal to play on Sundays, the day they all went to church.
Members of the Brethren Church, the Langhornes didn't see the benefit of Crystal missing church to play basketball.
Never considering themselves basketball experts, they simply didn't realize how good she was, even when everybody was trying to let them know.
"When I first went to visit her parents about playing for the Belles, I told them 'Your daughter is one of the best players in her age group in the country,'" Lynch said. "And they started laughing, 'Our Crystal? Our Crystal?' They didn't see it, and it kind of caught them by surprise how talented she was."
Crystal's brother Cryhten talked with his parents about the benefit of allowing Crystal to gain exposure on a national level, and since they always wanted the best for their children, the Langhornes changed their rule.
"My oldest son spoke to us and said, 'Crystal's good. If she's going to go on to big things, you have to let her play on Sundays,'" Juel said. "So we did, and we're glad we did too."
Crystal starred for the Belles, and led them to the 2003 AAU National Championship and was named the MVP of the tournament.
Her parents would go to the games, but basketball was far less than the life-or-death experience it is for many parents of elite youth players.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
TerpFan
posted 3/27/08 @ 12:44 PM EST
Fantastic profile of a fantastic person and player. Thanks for all that you've done for Maryland, Crystal!
GoTerps!
posted 3/27/08 @ 4:46 PM EST
Great profile on a great player & person...I had the pleasure of meeting Crystal Langhorne last summer and she was absolutely as described. Thanks for everything, Crystal!
keonta smith
posted 4/16/08 @ 1:22 PM EST
IT WAS A PLEASURE..WATCHICHING A WELL ROUNDED ANGEL,COME INTO A PROGRAM LIKE MARYLAND..AND AND PERFORM GRACEFULLY,WITH CLASS AND DIGNITY..WATCH OUT WNBA. (Continued…)
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