Women's Basketball: For Tiger hoops, it’s All good

Sophomore center devona Allgood of the women's basketball team used to be a first-chair violinist in high school. Though she no longer plays in an orchestra, Allgood is still making sweet music on the basketball court.

“Devona holds herself to a very high standard, and she takes her contribution to the team very seriously,” head coach Courtney Banghart said. “Her potential knows no limit, and that’s due to both her physical ability [and] her commitment to excellence.”

This season, Allgood has been an integral part of Princeton’s (17-2 overall, 5-0 Ivy League) success. Allgood is a two-time Ivy League Player of the Week, and she averages 10.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Incredibly accurate from the field, Allgood makes 61.7 percent of her shots — the highest average on the Tiger roster.

“Devona shoots at a very high percentage [and] is actually in the top 20 nationally in field goal percentage,” Banghart said. “Devona has taken [about] a thousand practice shots for every shot she makes. Her game is a beautiful combination of talent and work ethic.”

The mixture of natural ability and determination that Allgood possesses has proven to be a lethal weapon. In a game against Houston on Dec. 20, 2009, Allgood contributed a career-high 21 points to the Tigers’ convincing 71-60 victory.

Allgood attributed her success on the court to her admirable work ethic.

“I think that I’ve been successful both individually and with my teammates because of my willingness to work hard,” Allgood said. “My teammates and I understand that being winners is not something that just happens. We must put in work both in games and in practices to be the great team that we ultimately wish to become.”

Thus far this season, Allgood has already racked up five double-doubles. She has come up especially big in Princeton’s Ancient Eight matchups, averaging 10.6 points and nine rebounds in five league games.

Allgood’s presence is not just felt on the offensive end of the floor. She has also proven herself to be a great talent on defense.

“Devona is a great asset to our team,” junior guard Addie Micir said. “She is very athletic and has great feet for a post player. She is a great shot-blocker, which makes defense a lot easier for the rest of the team. We aren’t afraid to pressure because we know [that] if we get beaten, she is right there in the paint to make a play.”

At North Mecklenburg High School in her hometown of Huntersville, N.C., Allgood built the foundation for her later achievements at the collegiate level. A two-time all-conference player in high school, Allgood helped her team to two conference championships.

Though she was a consistent winner at the high school level, Allgood said the transition to collegiate ball was not an easy one to make.

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“I think the biggest difference is the unpredictability of the college game,” Allgood said. “In high school, it was much easier to pick the winning team simply based on stats. But in college, all teams are going to have good players.”

After her successful high school career, Allgood came to Princeton and immediately made an impact. During her freshman season, the six foot, three inch center was named to the All-Ivy Rookie Team. She played in all of Princeton’s 28 games and finished the season as the Tigers’ top rebounder, averaging 6.9 boards per contest. She also led the team with 44 blocks that season.

Her commitment to excel on the court has driven Allgood to become an even better player this season. Allgood’s teammates and coaches noted that she has improved her all-around game.

“She has improved tremendously this season,” Micir said. “Last year, she was a great defender and had a good hook shot. But she came back this year with an arsenal of new weapons on offense. She is so balanced and has great moves on the low block.”

“Devona has improved drastically since last season,” Banghart added. “She has gotten stronger both physically and mentally.”

Allgood said she is thankful for her natural gifts on the court, and this recognition has fueled her constant motivation to improve.

“I feel as though I have been given so many talents and blessings,” Allgood said. “It is only right for me to give my very best effort, day in and day out.”

But Allgood’s commitment to excellence extends way beyond the confines of Jadwin Gymnasium. As a civil and environmental engineering concentrator, Allgood said she makes an effort to balance academics and her love of basketball.

"In high school, being in the International Baccalaureate program while playing sports has helped me to prepare for Princeton academics,” Allgood said. “Time management is a skill that I developed throughout high school, and I think it’s something I’ve been able to carry over to the collegiate level.”

A natural leader, Allgood has certainly contributed to Princeton’s current 12-game win streak, as well as to the Tigers’ 5-0 start in the Ivy League.

Above all else, though, Allgood is soaking up every moment of her team’s success so far this season.

“Playing for such an amazing team and having fun the entire time is priceless,” Allgood said. “Now, we are ready to leave our mark on Princeton women’s basketball.”

If Allgood continues on her current path, the Tigers could be destined for great things.