By Pat Turner
Contributing Writer

Jocelyn “Jay” Langford took her parents’ words of wisdom to heart at an early age.

Many times Edward and Stephanie Hobbs told their daughter she was a leader.

Jay began believing it and eventually applied it to her everyday activities, especially on the basketball court.

As a 5-foot, 1-inch point guard at Clark, Langford’s ability to guide her teammates became just as effective as her ballhandling. Now, she’ll be getting a chance to carry those skills a step higher after committing to play for Texas Lutheran University.

“I have always liked running the show,” said Langford, who was surrounded by friends, coaches, teammates and family during a recent ceremony celebrating her college choice. “I like getting the whole team going. My family always encouraged me to be a leader and I had to accept that role.”

Although her career at TLU hasn’t begun, Langford is already thinking about that leadership role with her new team. Being a freshman, she knows how important it is to make her presence felt immediately with the upper classmen.

“I’m ready to make an impact,” Langford said. “But I have to go in there and get their respect by showing them what I can do. I want to show them I am here and I belong by the way I work on the court. Point guard is my position and I want to be the same kind of leader that I was at Clark.”

In the meantime, Langford is working on all phases of her game this summer while playing AAU basketball with the South Texas Hoyas.

Her top objective is improving her shooting. As a point guard, setting up opportunities for her teammates is the main objective, but providing her team another offensive weapon can make a difference.

“I want to be the total package,” Langford said. “I like being the one who gives the assists to my teammates, but I have to shoot a lot more. I am going to take more chances. I’m working to get my shot down and to become confident with it.”

Working to improve her basketball skills is pretty much routine for Langford. Ever since she took an interest in the sport, her parents watched her do whatever it took to improve.

“She had a passion for basketball before she could even play,” her father said. “When she was younger, she was short and slow. I told her she could be short, but she couldn’t be slow, too. Her mother played college basketball (at North Carolina A&T) and we started working on her skills. She started getting her foot speed and quickness down. She developed a good game. We’re looking forward to seeing her play in college.”

Langford is also determined to play a part in building TLU’s program. The Bulldogs have struggled in recent years, but she believes the presence of new head coach Roxanne Long and an improved nucleus can change that.

Langford was in a similar situation at Clark. The Lady Cougars’ program has also struggled, but they made strides during the past two years under head coach John Paul.

Langford hopes to see both programs make the climb at the same time.

“I wanted to be at a school where I could help build something,” Langford said.