• By ROBIN FAMBROUGH
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Jun 24, 2009

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There is little question Langston Galloway of Christian Life Academy and Brian Williams of Glen Oaks High School are the top seniors-to-be in the Baton Rouge area.

The two boys basketball standouts answered a key question about their future by committing to different out-of-state colleges on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-3 Galloway committed to Philadelphia-based St. Joseph’s University, while the 6-5 Williams announced his plans to attend Oklahoma State. Both say they plan to sign during the NCAA’s early signing period in November.

Though the two players had other offers, including offers from LSU, personal connections to the schools they selected played a pivotal role in their decisions.

Galloway’s mother, Jeralyn, is a Philadelphia native. His uncle, Geoff Arnold, is beginning his second season as an assistant at St. Joseph’s.

Williams cited the efforts of former LSU interim head coach/assistant Butch Pierre, in his decision process.

Galloway is currently in Philadelphia visiting relatives.

“I thought about it last night and decided there was no reason to wait,” Galloway said. “I know I’m going to get great family support here.

“I’d like to thank all the schools that recruited me. I appreciate what they did. I’m comfortable here. This is the right decision for me.”

Galloway averaged 21.4 points, 5.4 assists and 3.6 steals per game as a junior, leading the Crusaders to the Class 1A semifinals. He was an All-Metro and Class 1A all-state selection.

Williams led GOHS to the Class 4A semifinals with averages of 25.9 points, 13.6 rebounds, 4.0 blocks and 2.1 assists per contest. He was selected as the MVP on the Class 4A all-state team and was the MVP of The Advocate’s All-Metro team.

An unofficial visit his family made to Stillwater-based Oklahoma State last weekend helped cement Williams’ choice. Another Louisiana player, 6-5 Markel Brown of Alexandria’s Peabody High, is also committed to the Cowboys.

“The facilities there are great,” Williams said. “And I felt like I was right at home when I was there.