A Different Kind of Kid: Cole Langer, Dell Rapids

by Kolbe Nelson
January 30, 2012 7:11 PM


"Cole's kind of a different kid."

That's for sure. Dell Rapids' Cole Langer may not stick out on the stat sheet, averaging 14 points and five assists per game, but he's a big reason why the Quarriors are 11-2.

Langer began making an impact on the basketball court very early on.

"He started for us as a freshman," Dell Rapids Boys Basketball Coach Mark Shriver says, "Probably fourth game into the year."

That kind of pressure can be pretty tough for a young kid, but Langer handled it well, with the help of encouraging upperclassmen.

"The kids all knew he could play," Shriver says.

By his sophomore year, the swingman was clearly more comfortable, helping Dells to a third place finish in the state tournament. Now, as a junior, things are starting to come full circle.

"It's his turn to kind of be a leader," Shriver says

The Quarriors have already earned championship gold this school year, taking the state 'A' football title with Langer putting up big numbers in the playoffs after missing most of the season with a groin injury. The grandson of NFL hall of famer Jim Langer thinks that success should transfer over to the basketball court.

"Most of the kids that played on our football team are playing on our basketball team," Langer says.

And he expects them to use the same tactics on the hardwood that helped them on the gridiron.

"We can run teams, get them tired," Langer says, "Because we got plenty of guys that are able to play. We're gonna have to play defense and come together as a team. It's gonna be tough."

But for a different kid like Cole, it should be manageable.

Langer doesn't have any idea where he wants to go to college or even what sport he wants to play just yet, but he does know he would like to continue with athletics after high school.

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