FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University freshman Darrion Allen/Pompano Beach, Florida has been named the Longwood Male
ARMS Software Athlete of the Week. He played in two games last week, including his first collegiate start for the Lancers at Coastal Carolina on February 8. Allen averaged 7.5 points, adding two rebounds, two assists and one steal, while making 6-17 field goals and 3-3 free throws and playing 44 minutes (22.0). The 6-2 guard matched his season-high with 12 points against the Chanticleers, making 5-9 field goals and 2-2 free throws. Longwood was scheduled to host Winthrop University on Feb. 12 at 4 p.m., before playing at Campbell University on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.
Question and Answer Session with Darrion Allen and Steven Sommer
SS: What does receiving Athlete of the Week honors mean to you?
DA: I feel like I’m becoming more confident. Now that we’re nearing the end of the season, I’m realizing what I can bring to help my team on the court and what plays I can make that need to be made. It’s definitely a confidence booster.
SS: You had your first career start against Coastal Carolina the other day. Walk us through what that was like for you.
DA: The day before the game in practice coach asked me if I was ready for my first start. Without a question I said yes. The next day I was thinking about starting, and thought to myself that I had to play my game and not think about it too much because if you overthink, bad things happen. I feel like I did just that and made some great plays toward the end of the game.
SS: How would you define your role on the team?
DA: Towards the beginning of the season it was difficult for me to find my spot, but once Coach Gee started telling me what he knew I could do. I started finding my footing. I’ve really prided myself on my on-ball defense and creating pressure, which has been a key for me. I’ve also done well off the bench creating plays, and getting to the hole.
SS: You’re originally from Florida, what brought you to Longwood?
DA: Coach Gee’s ambition. The first time I talked to him was amazing. He was so excited, more excited than me, like he had just found money. He called me almost every day, and on my visit the campus was wonderful. The team, the people and the community on campus were all great.
SS: What are your individual and team goals moving forward with the season?
DA: My goal for myself throughout my four years is to become the complete player I know I can be. For the team, of course I want us to win a Big South Championship and to continue onto the NCAA tournament, but I also want us to continue to grow better each day.
SS: What’s the transition to Division I basketball been like compared to playing at Blanche Ely?
DA: It’s a huge difference. These guys are all bigger, taller, faster and stronger. It’s just a big pace change. I’ve changed my game. In high school, I could just go up easy for a layup. Now I have to either maneuver in the air, go to a jump stop, hit floaters, or try and draw the easy fouls. Definitely a lot I had to change.
SS: Do you have any pregame rituals?
DA: I have a playlist that I’ll listen through once. After that I’ll either eat a bag of skittles or some gum before the game. It gets me hyped and energetic.
SS: Who do you look up to most on the team?
DA: Lucas Woodhouse. He’s a great point guard, he’s a leader, and he works hard when nobody’s looking. I come into the gym late at night sometimes and he’s getting shots up in there when no one else is. He’s an all-around good guy and he stays on top of his school work. He’s a good role model, and I really look up to him.
SS: Who is the funniest person on the team?
DA: I’d have to say Karl Ziegler. The man is a character. He has a nice personality, and nobody on the team could ever get in a fight with him. He’s always clicking; the glue that holds us together.
SS: If you could swap places with a teammate for a day, who would it be and why?
DA: Probably Eric Shaw. He’s another funny guy on the team, and just from hanging out with him, his life must be interesting from some of the things he says. I want to know what goes on around him that makes him the way he is.
SS: What’s your favorite hobby outside of basketball?
DA: Definitely playing my Xbox, I’m a huge Call of Duty fan. I also like to get out into nature sometimes. I love going fishing, I’m a bit of a deep-sea fisher.
