The Middletown High School basketball looked like it was finally getting back on track, great defense on the road against Liberty seemed to give the Knights copious amounts confidence, but the Knights (8-8) took a step back on Jan. 31 at Linganore (4-9).
The Knights were unable to control the Lancers dynamic duo of Thomas Lang, and Jack Staub in a 67-56 loss.
Linganore started out the second quarter on a 6-2 run, and never looked back. The best the Knights could do from then on is trade baskets with the explosive Lancers.
Every time it seemed like the Knights were getting back into it, Lang or Staub would take over the game to set the Knights back yet again. Staub had nine points in the first half to lead the Lancers to a, 24-17, halftime lead.
Staub took ever yet again at the start of the second half, and propelled the Lancers to a 30-17 lead just two minutes into the third quarter.
Lang took over in the fourth quarter to really put some distance between the two teams on the scoreboard. The closest the Knights got after that was nine points.
Lang finished with 21 points to lead the Lancers, Staub finished with 19 points.
Ian Roy finished with 17 points (7-8 free throws), four rebounds and two steals. Brad Rinehart had thirteen points, three rebounds and two steals. Ben anther swept the boards for the Knights, grabbing six rebounds, and six points (4-5 free throws).
The Knights will head to the Lion’s den on Feb. 4 to take on Walkersville. Middletown lost to Walkersville, 65-61, on Jan. 9.
The Knights JV (1-13) squad fell to Linganore, 47-27, for its ninth straight loss.
The Freshman team (5-6) took down the Lancers, 57-43. Evan Joseph led the way with 24 points for the Knights, Matt Doherty chipped in 13 points.
