Fresh off a weekend sweep in Dallas, Allen returned home for one final game before the Thanksgiving break against Baker University’s junior varsity team out of Baldwin.
Allen led from the tip-off; its size and speed too much for Baker to handle. Early on, Allen drained shots with ease. Midway in the half, however, both teams experienced a lull. Neither team’s shots were going in.
Fortunately, Allen raced out to a 47-25 halftime advantage. Allen kept Baker away from the free-throw line for much of the game, but when the Wildcats got to the line, they were able to convert, something Allen struggled with all night.
One big key throughout the night for the Red Devils was how aggressively they rebounded the ball. It seemed like each missed shot was followed by three Red Devils clamoring for the ball around the net. The rebounds made it easier for Allen to follow up on second-chance shots on both sides of the floor as Allen dominated on the defensive side. The Red Devils held Baker to six rebounds, suffocating them under the rim.
Of the 18 players on Allen’s roster, 16 saw the court Monday.
“We set the tone early and jumped on them 11-0,” said Allen Community College head coach Andy Shaw. “We never looked back from there. We got everybody quality minutes all the way through the lineup. We tried to play as even minutes as possible once we built that big lead.”Scottie Turner and Xavier Evans both missed the game, but are expected to be back on the court soon.
Malachi Martin went down during the game with what looked to be a knee injury. Shaw did not know the extent of the injury immediately after the game.
Allen was very efficient, limiting mistakes and looking the best they have so far this season.
Allen’s Max Cheap lines up for a free throw
Photo by Reese Becker / Iola Register
Allen head coach Andy Shaw talks with an official
Photo by Reese Becker / Iola Register
Allen’s Chris Dixon looks to pass against Baker
Photo by Reese Becker / Iola Register
Allen’s Nick Whittick comes down the floor
Photo by Reese Becker / Iola Register
Allen’s Ed Wright shoots. a free throw
Photo by Reese Becker / Iola Register
“We are getting better,” Shaw said. “It’s not a finished product and we have a long way to go but we are making strides forward as a team. Tonight we were unselfish and shared the basketball. We had 23 assists and only 11 turnovers. We moved the ball well.”Ed Wright has been a huge key for Allen lately. Prior to the game, Wright was named the KJCCC Division II basketball athlete of the week. Against Richland last Friday, Wright scored 30 points. Wright scored seven on Monday night.“At the end of last year I told him and Cedric (Rollerson) that it would need to be them leading this team,” Shaw said. “Ed has been a good leader on the floor, but he is also a vocal leader off the floor. He is a high IQ player and sees the floor well.”
Wright, a sophomore guard from Lorain, Ohio, has been receiving some interest from four-year schools recently.
“It’s a blessing to see my hard work paying off,” Wright said. “I’m able to show my ability and what I worked on throughout the summer. Being able to play for Coach Shaw and play with my teammates is great. Everybody knows what I’m capable of doing.”
Allen is 6-3 and will carry its three-game winning streak on the road next Tuesday when the Red Devils travel to Trenton, Mo. to play North Central Missouri College.
