2012 Man of the Year in Sports: John Allen

  • By Rich Myhre Herald Writer
  • Monday, March 18, 2013 5:06pm
  • SportsSports

John Allen’s college basketball career began with what could be called a wrong turn.

Four years later, Allen found himself part of a Western Washington University team that definitely was headed in the right direction.

The 23-year-old Allen, who lives in Brier and spent two years at Washington State before transferring to Western, helped lead the Vikings to the 2011-12 NCAA Division II national championship. A starting guard and the team’s second-leading scorer a year ago, he was instrumental in the Vikings’ push to the national title.

Allen’s play and contributions this season have been equally stellar. He recently was named the 2012-13 Player of the Year in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, and is the leading scorer for the Vikings, who finished their regular season with a dazzling 26-1 record and were the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Division II West Regional tournament.

For his efforts in two remarkable seasons, Allen is The Herald’s 2012 Man of the Year in Sports.

The funny thing is, Allen never envisioned his college career reaching such heights. After graduating from Mountlake Terrace High School, he spent his first two seasons at Washington State, where he redshirted as a true freshman and then played sparingly the following year.

Wanting more, he transferred to Western Washington and helped turn a very good program into one of the nation’s best.

In March of last year, the Vikings won three games to claim the West Regional title, and then three more to capture the first national title in the program’s history. The championship game on March 24 saw WWU defeat Montevallo (Ala.), 72-65, with Allen leading five Vikings players in double figures with 14 points.

“It was one of those pinnacle moments,” Allen said last week. “And I would definitely say that it was one of the most memorable moments in my sports career.

“I’ve been asked a lot about what it felt like when we were finally cutting down the nets and getting our rings,” he said. “But it was just crazy. I still don’t think it’s quite hit me. People say that later in life when you’re telling your kids or your grandkids about it, that’s maybe when it will finally seem real.”

The Vikings’ goal this season has been to repeat “so we’re really not thinking about (last year) that much. We’re trying to let the past be the past. But later on, when I’m done playing basketball on a competitive level, I think that’s when it’ll sink in about what it meant and how much of an accomplishment it was.”

If skeptics thought last season’s championship was a fluke, the 2012-13 Vikings have put that notion to rest. Western Washington, which won its last six games a year ago, began this season with 24 straight victories to push its school-record winning streak to 30 games.

The string finally ended on Feb. 21 with a 77-73 road loss to Alaska-Fairbanks.

“It’s been fun (this season), having an opportunity to defend our title,” Allen said. “As a competitor, you always want to play at the highest level. You want to have the toughest games, the toughest matchups. And when teams have played us this (season), it’s not just another game to them.

“Everyone wants a shot at trying to beat us so they can say they beat the champs. When you have a target from being the defending national champion, you’re going to get everyone’s best game. So it’s really been fun and really exciting.”

Regardless of how the current season pans out, the memories of last year’s extraordinary run will remain precious, Allen said.

“It was really a cool experience to be able to experience that with a group of guys that had grown so close together,” he explained. “We had a real tight-knit locker room. We hung out together off the court and we were real close together on the road. We all kind of stuck together. And then when we needed to win, we came together.

“It was just a lot of fun, seeing us all grow together and then having it culminate in a championship.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.