JEFFERSON TWP — Ryan Lang's basketball world has changed.

The Knoch junior was a shooting guard for the Knights as they soared to a 19-4 record last year. He was a sophomore standout on a senior-dominated team.

Now those seniors are graduated. And Lang has been moved to point guard under a new head coach.

“It's been a lot to take in,” the junior admitted.

But it's still Ryan Lang's basketball world — and he's thriving in it.

“I've talked to our seniors, Zach McMillen and Tyler Buterbaugh, about being our leaders and allowing Ryan to just play and grow into that role,” first-year Knoch coach Alan Bauman said. “But he does so much for us.”

Lang averaged 17.2 points per game and sank 69 treys as the team's shooting guard last season. Through three games this season, he's scored 29 points against Mars, 31 against Keystone Oaks and a career-high 34 Tuesday night against North Catholic.

The 34 points marked the most scored by a Knoch player in a game since the 2007-08 season.

Lang added seven rebounds and four assists in that North Catholic game as well.

“That kid just played 32 minutes against the team that plays the best pressure defense in (WPIAL) 4A,” Bauman marveled. “He didn't bat an eye.

“He handled it. He found the open man. He drove to the hoop when it was there. He has such a passion for this sport.”

Even if playing point guard remains a foreign concept to him.

“I had never been a regular point guard in any season I've played,” Lang said. “I played a back-up role at that position last year.

“It's totally different. Before, I worked myself open for shots and took them. Now I have to involve everyone else on the floor, facilitate our functioning as a team. It's a challenge and I know I have to get better at it.”

Lang isn't only playing the point for the first time. He's doing so with a whole new set of teammates.

“I'm loving that part of it,” he said. “These guys work so hard on the court, they inspire me to work harder with them.”

Because Lang is such a versatile player, his teammates have to fight the tendency to watch the show.

“No question,” Bauman said. “Instead of watching Ryan play, our other players have to adapt to playing off what he's doing, make plays he's trying to set up.

“But there's no better player to have the ball in his hands than the player who's getting up and down the floor, always moving ... Ryan will dish the ball off, then crash the boards for an offensive rebound. He's all over the place.”

The Knights are 1-2 thus far and play yet another basketball power when they host Butler on Saturday.

Other pieces are there. Keagan Fraser can handle the ball and score at a guard spot. Blaze Voltz can shoot from outside. Buterbaugh is a solid passer and joins McMillen as rebounding strengths. Jake Murphy provides energy off the bench.

“We just have to put everything together,” Lang said. “We're still learning to play together.”

And playing good competition is part of Bauman's development plan.

“Playing good teams helps you grow as a team,” the coach said.

Just like Lang continues to grow as a player.

“My goal is to eventually play Division I or II college ball,” he said. “Which level it turns out to be doesn't really matter to me.

“I just want to keep playing basketball for a long time.”