By Johnny Sanders, Sports Editor
PINSON – This will be a different type of basketball article from the norm. We will not be talking about how Sean Allen led his team in scoring, rebounding, steals or blocks against a nationally-ranked team in a tournament in Georgia and earned an athletic scholarship to Duke University. No, Sean Allen struggled to even see the court during Pinson’s amazing run in 2022-2023. However, that did not diminish his impact on the team.
Statistically speaking, when Sean played, he averaged 2 points and 1 steal per game while shooting 35% from beyond the three-point line. The more impressive statistic, though, may be the 3.5 GPA that Sean garnered, ranking in the top 20 percent in his class. No, Sean is not going to college for the same reasons fellow Indians Caleb White and Terry Connor (and a host of others because there is a lot of talent at Pinson) will. Sean is heading to Xavier of Louisiana on an academic scholarship with intentions of majoring in Biology/Pre-Medicine as part of the Bio Medical Science program.
Athletically, Sean was not simply bad at basketball, but he was met with many different obstacles. His coach, Darrell Barber, remembered, “Back when he was a freshman, he made our freshman team and he could really shoot the ball, but I noticed he was limited in his movement. We found out that both of his knees were injured and needed either surgery or rehab. So, he played but got to the point where the pain was unbearable. During his sophomore year, he had some surgery and got some rehab on his knees. He came back as a junior and he didn’t make the varsity team. Each year, we have a few players that don’t make the team but come really close and we give them opportunities. I gave him the opportunity to play JV and he accepted. A lot of kids that get this offer decline because they are embarrassed or something. I tell them all the time that we never know what may happen. He played JV as a junior and worked hard. This past summer we had a loaded team. He tried out. I didn’t promise him anything. He persevered and worked hard and got on the team. It’s like that kid that walks on at a college and plays 3 years and then coach surprises him with a scholarship.”
Coach Barber continued, “He works hard and he’s a great team member and helps the younger guys. I’ve been blessed to have a lot of good kids. Sean is very respectful. If I had a daughter his age, I’d let her date him. He comes from a great family. He’s been tremendous and I couldn’t ask for a better kid. This ranks right up at the top with any of my D1 basketball scholarships. At the end of the day, we talk about getting scholarships…football, academic, engineering…it doesn’t matter.”
Sean’s mother, Eva Allen, said the following of her son’s accomplishments, “Words cannot fully express how proud my husband (Tyrone) and I are of Sean. He is the most kind and generous young man. We are grateful to be his parents. He is a true blessing to us.”
Speaking of his athletic career and beyond, Mrs. Allen said, “I encourage my kids to participate in extra-curricular activities. Sean has played basketball since second grade in park ball. He played in middle school and was excited to play in high school. Covid-19 hampered his basketball career in 2020 because he did virtual school and he didn’t attend school. He didn’t practice much on his own that year. He had to work hard to get on the varsity team in his senior year. Sean is very driven, and playing basketball helped increase that drive. He is very motivating to his teammates. It helped him understand the importance of hard work and putting extra energy into things to produce results. Sean is actually very talented artistically. He can draw and paint. He paints custom shoes and he can play the keyboard.”
What does mom hope for Sean’s future? “I’m so excited for his future. Sean wants to be a doctor, following in my footsteps. I also attended an HBCU college (Spelman College), and it was the best experience of my life. I pray that he has a similar experience at Xavier. I know he will be in an environment where he will thrive and achieve his goal of being an anesthesiologist.”
An excited Sean had the following to say about signing at Xavier and the impact the Pinson Valley Basketball program had on his life. “It feels good and it’s kind of shocking that I am for sure going to college and I don’t have to worry about anything. I can just go down there and do my work, take care of my business. Basketball, through this program in particular, has taught me a lot. Coach (Barber) talks about teaching life through basketball and I’ve learned a lot just being around this program. Lack of playing time was discouraging at first but that’s one of the things, when I talked about life through basketball, it taught me to work hard and look at myself and be the best I can be and not let bad things keep you down. You’ve got to push through them and get better.”
Sean’s choice to attend Xavier of Louisiana is one that likely makes his parents proud. “I chose Xavier of Louisiana first, because it’s an HBCU. Secondly, I want to be an anesthesiologist and, because my mom is a doctor, I’ve made contact with others who have become anesthesiologists and most of them went to Xavier. I plan to be successful, have my own business as an anesthesiologist and I do plan to play basketball at the next level, so I will be trying out for the team there.”
So, no, Sean Allen doesn’t lead the Indians in points or rebounds or steals or assists. But the young man has been just as valuable to the Pinson Valley basketball team on their impressive run, just be being a picture of perseverance and hard work despite circumstance. The future is bright for Sean Allen.