PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
NOAH WASHINGTON
BY PATRICK MURPHY
When he was an eighth grader, people started to make comparisons to another New Albany boys’ basketball great in Romeo Langford.
There was plenty of hype surrounding Noah Washington, a 6-foot-3 wing who has been compared to the former New Albany star. He rose to a 5-star recruit in the Class of 2028 by 2025scouts. com before his freshman year in 2024.
BJ Cadle started coaching Washington when the latter was an eighth grader at Scribner Middle School. Cadle came in when Jason Jones was the new head coach in 2023.
“ Part of the interview process and one of Jones’ questions during the interview process was:‘ How would you coach a superstar and talk me through that process,’” Cadle remembered.“ In that conversation, we talked about there has to be a trust built between the two parties. He has to understand I have to hold him accountable but part of the accountability is understanding why I have to coach him that way. In hindsight, Coach Jones was spot on. Noah was a fantastic young man and was really easy to coach but definitely an incredible basketball player too.”
During Washington’ s eighth grade season, he scored 35 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against Scottsburg Middle School. At the end of his final middle school year, Washington and Scribner won the Clark-Floyd championship over Parkview. Additionally, the sixth and seventh grade teams won their respective titles as well. Cadle said he let Washington go up last to cut the nets.
“ I wanted him to take a good portion of the net but instead of him selfishly taking a large portion of the net, het cut off small pieces and he handed it to some of the younger kids,” he said.“ I couldn’ t believe and I didn’ t full know what I was watching. He’ s a real special kid, great human being and a fantastic player.”
His stellar middle school years led to an impressive freshman year for the‘ Dogs. The 6-foot-4 swingman averaged 15 points and four rebounds per game for the Bulldogs. New Albany finished 19-5 and lost to Jeffersonville in the Class 4A Seymour Sectional final 62-47.
But things have turned around for Washington going into his second year. He got to play in the 2025 USA Basketball Men’ s U16 National Team training camp at the U. S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado in May. The camp included 22 members of the Class of 2028 invited to the training camp.
“ I think the big thing Noah understands is even as good as he is right now, he’ s got areas where he can improve on,” Cradle said.“ He’ s very realistic about continuing to grow and add to his game. His shot-making ability is already at the college level, across half-court you have to guard him, his explosiveness he can get by you in one step and IQ wise he’ s continuing to add to his game. After playing in high school, I’ ll be excited to see where he goes because he has more than enough potential to play at the college level and then pursue a professional career.”
PAGE NO. 26 NEWS AND TRIBUNE SPORTS MAGAZINE JAN / FEB 2026