Clive Allen reinvented himself to secure his future.
The Cardinal Hayes senior guard realized he needed to overhaul his game to not only make his team better, but catch the eyes of college coaches. He had to limited his forced shots, let the game come to him more and worry about getting his teammates more involved in the action. People were going to see a new Clive Allen in 2015-2016
“The reason why we fell so short last year was because teams were keying in on me and I was going for mine,” Allen said. “Now I feel like I can trust these guys and give the ball up to them.”
Robert Morris took notice when the Cardinals beat rival St. Raymond at home on Jan. 8. Allen scored a game-high 28 points in just three quarters before being of five players ejected when a scuffle broke out late in the third. Allen felt a loyalty from Colonials assistant coach Joe Gallo, who kept in close and consistent touch. He enjoyed the sense of family and community here felt during his visit in early January.
The visit help to ultimately convinced him that Robert Morris was where he wanted to spend his next four years and verbally committed there. Allen also had interest from Louisiana-Lafayette, Appalachian State, Rutgers. He will join Christ the King senior center David Cole with the Colonials next season.
“They already have that family kind of bond,” he said. “I just want to come in and be a part of that family.”
Cardinal Hayes coach Joe Lods said Allen made a smart decision by picking the Colonials and head coach Andy Toole. They showed how important he was to them with the way they recruited him. Lods also feels the staff has Allen’s best interest in mind.
“They have been after him,” the coach said. “They really want him. They have a vision for him. They see how he fits in and they are excited to get him. I told him, ‘Go play for a coach who really wants you, and that’s what he has done.”
The defending Northeast Conference champions are getting one of the CHSAA’s most explosive guards. He is averaging 21 points per game and has a 30-point night to boost of. Allen, the Cardinals’ leading scorer, has helped the young team win the Archdiocesan regular season title. He showed just how different a player he’s become in thrilling win over the Ravens on Feb. Allen tallied nine of his 11 in the fourth quarter, while helping sophomore Ishmael Massoud to a big first half.
“They were packing in the lane,” Allen said. “Whenever I got in the lane and the man helped out, I just kicked wherever to Ishmael, Baron [Goodridge] or Pedro [Marquez].”
It all helped the “New Clive” earn a new home.
