Allen’s Work Ethic Paying Off For Temple
Tuesday, February 19th, 2008By LoudaGuru
Temple’s Allen is a keeper.
The Temple University freshman may just be the best player on the men’s basketball team. Since beginning organized basketball in the eighth grade in the Pennsbury School District in Bucks County, Pa., Allen has grown and developed into a 6′9″ power forward who has his best on court days ahead of him. Inserted into the starting lineup from the first game this season, Allen is the only member of Coach Fran Dunphy’s first full recruiting class to gain significant playing time. A tireless work ethic allows Allen to improve literally from one game to the next.
Allen hails from Pennsbury High School in Fairless, Hills, Pa. Blessed with size, he spent his freshman high school season confronted by critics who expected a finished product hitting the floor. Pennsbury Coach Frank Sciolla worked with the soft-spoken kid six days a week during the summer. Allen learned what he should do on the court to make his teammates better. A good passer, rebounder and defender, Allen developed his post-up game by his senior year. Playing the national AAU circuit on the Philly MJC team allowed Allen to face the top big men in the country.
Allen prides himself on his hard work ethic. Becoming more aggressive might allow comparisons to another young phenom, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic. Only 18 years old, Allen has gotten over the nervousness of playing Top Ten teams like Tennessee, Florida and Duke. “Lavoy has exceeded our expectations,” said Coach Dunphy. A big statement for a player who is trying to measure up to expectations his freshman season in college. Playing before family and friends, Allen delivered a career high on February 3 with 19 points in a 93-80 victory over George Washington. You can be sure we’ll be seeing more of that as the season progresses.