Junior College standout and Pennsylvania native, Langston Wilson, said that he never played high school basketball. Today, Wilson is the number two ranked Junior College player in the nation and credits his father, trainers and the coaches at GHC for helping him learn the game of basketball.

Originally moving to Georgia with his sister for a fresh start, Wilson said, “I was working a nine to five job and happened to be at an open gym with someone who knew coach [J.J. Merritt]. That was the only scholarship offer I had coming out of high school … that was the only choice I had and I kind of made the best out of the situation.”

Over 40 offers from different basketball colleges throughout the country have contacted Wilson. Colleges such as Alabama, Kansas, Oregon and many more are all interested in his talents.

“It [recruiting] is a rollercoaster ride. One day might be really really calm, the next day you might get slammed with phone calls,” Wilson said.

With two years of eligibility left after this basketball season, Wilson said he is still feeling his way through the recruiting process and hasn’t committed to any one school yet.

Wilson said that the team has unfinished business after last season’s loss in the conference championship. “For us being able to have a season [in spite of covid] … that’s major,” Wilson said.

Known for his highlight dunks and athletic 6’9 frame, Wilson said he has more to work on when it comes to the game of basketball.

“I am still learning the game. There’s a whole lot of things I still don’t understand. I still have to ask questions,” said Wilson.

Wilson was a major impact player his freshman year and is taking what he’s learned into his sophomore season and said he’s grown the most in his leadership ability, “I’ve become a lot more mature on the court and just learning wise, I’ve just grown so much more,” Wilson said.

“Langston Wilson has grown a lot from last year. Of course, a big name and supposedly number one JUCO player in the country is Langston Wilson, so a lot of eyes are on him,” said J.J. Merritt, GHC’s men’s head basketball coach.

According to 247 Sports, Wilson is the number two Junior College, or JUCO, prospect in the country for the 2021 class. He is also the number one JUCO player in the power-forward position and number one coming out of Pennsylvania.

Charger student athletes and coaches face new obstacles this year as a result of COVID-19 and necessary precautions being taken to protect everyone involved.

David Mathis, Director of Athletics, said, “We’re doing about all that we can do to see if we can keep this… [spring sports] just like you hear everyday from the CDC and the Georgia Department of Public Health.”

Mathis said when it comes to baseball, the players will be spread out in the dugout to avoid close contact. He also said that the team has a fog machine to clean shared equipment and clean the surrounding area after games or practices to disinfect the area. The baseball team will be playing at the Lakepoint Complex in Cartersville and will follow their safety guidelines for each home game.

Each of the Charger spring sports teams (basketball, softball, baseball) must fill out daily questionnaires stating whether the team was participating in a team meeting, practice or conditioning workout. All student athletes must take a temperature check and list it in the questionnaire as well.

When it comes to fans viewing the sporting events, there are some limitations. Mathis said masks are required at all sporting events and to everyone must maintain six foot social distancing. A family or group of people must stay in their own bubble to reduce the risk of spreading.

Mathis said, “Sports brings in a lot more than money. It makes a college environment more special.” There have still been some negative effects on the school’s budget. GHC’s Athletic Department is funded by athletic fees. Mathis said that, “this past summer, our enrollment was up 14%” but the University System of Georgia wouldn’t let GHC charge fees, due to all classes being online. Mathis said that the Athletic Department lost $100,000, due to not charging fees and that the low enrollment also hurts the budget. He said, “That hammers our budget… we’re down about 500 students, that’s another $45,000 loss.” He said teams are only doing what is absolutely necessary, due to the lower athletic department budget.

Mathis said that, compared to last year, roughly half as many games will be played for all spring sports. The maximum amount of games for men’s and women’s basketball will be 18 games. Baseball will play a maximum of 56 games, compared to 72 games the team usually plays. Finally, softball will be allowed a maximum of 30 games where normally they play 60 games.