Motivated Allen is Using Prep School to Prepare for ACC
Ron Bailey, Publisher
November 11, 2006 – After having attended both DeMatha Catholic High School and Oak Hill Academy over the last two years, Jeff Allen, a 6’6”, 240lb frontcourt standout from Washington, DC is now enrolled and thriving at Hargrave Military Academy. As a fifth year prep student at Hargrave, Jeff is preparing to hit Virginia Tech running, next season.
Hailing from N.E. Washington, DC, Allen revealed he has played basketball “since I was in the fifth grade”. An alumnus of Webb Elementary and Brown Junior High School, Jeff was not one of those kids that was a young prodigy. “I wasn’t always good” he shared. “I don’t think I got good until eighth grade”.
He went on to credit playing for the D.C. Warriors AAU team, and it’s well known talent developer Tony Langley for turning his game around. By the time high school beckoned, Allen had options to attend a number of schools, but chose DeMatha.
That school’s reputation nationally as a hoops juggernaut was appealing to Allen, as was Nigel Munson’s presence there: The two attended junior high school and played with the Warriors together, and as such developed a familiarity and friendship that transcends the court. That connection would also factor greatly in Allen’s decision to attend Virginia Tech.
Allen indicated his go to move is "Attack from the left; pump fake going left".
Being a DeMatha Stag for three years was something Jeff cherishes. “It was a great experience” said Allen. “I really appreciate them. They were there to help me got out of a hole”.
After a year at Oak Hill Academy, in tiny Mouth of Wilson, VA – where he averaged about 14 points and 10 rebounds a game - it was on to Hargrave, where Allen is further preparing himself to meet NCAA eligibility requirements. The school, situated in Chatham, VA has challenged Jeff in several ways. “It’s a different environment” he said. “They have us marching” and wearing uniforms that are notoriously ill-fitting for tall basketball players, said Jeff, who then added “It’s going to help improve my test, GPA, and basketball”.
Jeff’s most recent AAU/travel team coach, Keith Stevens, agrees. “I think it’s a good situation for him, just as far as getting away from the (D.C.) area” said the coach and director of Triple Threat AAU. “I think it’s definitely good, because of the discipline”.
To address academic and SAT concerns, Hargrave has mandatory two hour-a-day study hall, in addition to the school’s proven coursework. In terms of athletics, Allen and the Hargrave team practice “about two and a half hours a day”.