Maryland Terps taking a look at Woodbridge resident Seth Allen

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On Monday, Seth Allen was playing basketball at the Sports Booth Athletic Center in Stafford County when Craig Boothe told Allen he needed to talk to him.

Word was out that Mark Turgeon was a possible candidate to take over as the University of Maryland’s new head men’s basketball coach. And that news was of great interest to Allen, a Woodbridge resident and former Hylton player, since Turgeon had offered Allen a scholarship while still the head coach at Texas A&M.

Allen stopped what he was doing and called Turgeon to find out if the rumors were true. Turgeon told Allen they were, but that he had not decided yet whether he was going to take the job. Turgeon did promise Allen that once he made his mind up, he would inform Allen of his decision.

Turgeon made good on his promise and called back later that night to let Allen know he was going to take the Maryland job.

“That’s one of the things I really like about him, he kept his word,” Allen said.

The next question is whether the junior will follow Turgeon to Maryland or not. Allen said that he and his family are scheduled to visit College Park on Saturday.

At this point, the Terrapins have not offered a scholarship, but if one was forthcoming following Saturday’s meeting, Allen would seriously consider committing to Maryland.

“I’m going to go in and be myself and meet with the coaches,” Allen said. “If [Turgeon] offers, I would make my decision sometime soon.”

Allen, who transferred to Fredericksburg Christian after two years at Hylton, first drew Texas A&M’s interest following his 21-point performance against Atlantic Shores in the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II quarterfinals.

FCS lost that game, but the Aggies followed up. Texas A&M assistant coach Scott Spinelli watched Allen play and recommended that Turgeon come and check him out. Turgeon attended an open gym at FCS in April. Soon after, Turgeon extended the scholarship offer.

Allen, who has already received an offer from Central Florida and is scheduled to visit that school June 5, wasn’t particularly high on going to Texas A&M since it was so far away from home, but the fact Maryland is less than hour away is more appealing to Allen.

Plus, Allen likes Turgeon a great deal.

“He’s honest and he knows the game well,” Allen said. “He was a point guard and I am a point guard. We can have that relationship where I can learn from him.”

Allen was the starting point guard on Hylton’s 2009-10 team, but left for FCS “for the opportunity to play college basketball,” he said.

Boothe was instrumental in the decision to transfer, Allen said. Allen’s older brother Brandon played for Boothe’s AAU team and Allen himself has played for Boothe’s AAU team the last two years.

Another factor in going to FCS was that Allen would get the chance to play in high school with his AAU teammates.

Besides Allen, guard Trey Rowser and center Taylor Danaher transferred to FCS to join another teammate, Justin Hempe, who was already enrolled in the school. Allen said the rest of his AAU team would be coming in for the next school year.

Allen said he originally considered going to Montrose Christian in Rockville, Maryland, He is friends with Justin Anderson, a Maryland commitment, who plays for Montrose Christian.

But Allen decided against going to Montrose Christian because he had no one to get him there each day. 

The commute to FCS was much easier. Before Allen got his driver’s license, he often times stayed with friends down in the Fredericksburg area. But now that he has his license, he drives back and forth each day.

At FCS, Allen has been a two-sport standout this school year.

In football, he was named to the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division III all-state first team at defensive back and kick returner. He was second-team at wide receiver.

In basketball, the 6-foot-1 Allen averaged over 20 points a game in helping FCS go 31-2 and post the best record in the program’s history. He was a first-team all-state selection as well.

Allen said he was torn between playing football or basketball in college, but he will pursue basketball. He’s also planning on returning to FCS next school year.

“I’ve learned a lot about God and it’s really helped me spiritually, physically and mentally,” Allen said. “I’m happy with the move.”