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Pingree's Williamson makes the cut, and then some

Tuesday, December, 11 By Mike Grenier
Staff writer

Steve Gibbs likes the challenge of matching wits with anybody in the Eastern Independent League, yet when it comes to judging one of his own players, Allen Williamson, the Pingree School basketball coach admits he had a brain cramp. Not just a small brain cramp, either.

"I'm going to be the answer to a trivia question," Gibbs said. "Who cut Allen Williamson? That would be me."

Gibbs cut Williamson from the varsity two years ago when the player was a 14-year-old freshman from Saugus. It didn't take long for the coach to realize he'd made a mistake. A few weeks into the season, Gibbs called him up from the freshman team and Williamson had his baptism of fire against Governor's Academy and its 6-foot-9 stud Adam Marshall.

"Allen made a big impression in his first game," recalled Gibbs. "He got Marshall's attention right away, scoring inside and blocking a couple of shots. Everyone in the gym knew this kid could play | and that I wasn't the smartest coach."

You might say that Williamson, now a 16-year-old junior, has made Gibbs look good in the ensuing two years. A physical specimen at 6-3<1/2>, he made the EIL All-Star team last season after leading the Highlanders to a 22-7 record and averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds. He's been even better through six games this season, averaging 22.3 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and three dunks. Williamson is shooting an eye-popping 69 percent from the floor in Pingree's 4-2 start.

"He's the most dominant player in our league," said junior Derek Pratt of Gloucester, who's been Williamson's close friend, on and off the court, since their first day at Pingree. "He's so well-rounded as a player. He makes our whole team better because (the opposition) has to game plan around him. The rest of us get open shots because defenses have to pay so much attention to him down low, and we get him good looks by passing it back to him if he has an open lane. When he's on his game, we don't lose."

An excellent student who's already drawn interest from MIT, Williamson smiles quickly when he's asked about getting cut his freshman year. It's become an inside joke between coach and player.

"He always brings that up," Williamson said of Gibbs. "But he's the guy who wanted me to play here. It was a pretty easy family (decision) to come to school here. My older sister (Patricia) came here (and is now a senior) and my younger brother (Patrick) is here. I liked the school when I visited it and then of course I met coach Gibbs."

He was a raw but explosive talent for the Highlanders in his first two years. His dunks would stir up a crowd and fire up his teammates, but he was inexperienced at handling the inevitable double teams close to the basket. As Gibbs explained, Williamson was effective at bulling his way to the bucket and finishing off or drawing a foul.

This season Williamson has added much more finesse and range to his game. He can anticipate the double team, read the defense and react to it. He can pop outside and hit the jumper, forcing defenses to play him more honestly. Defensively, he still blocks or alters shots, changing the complexion of the game in the process.

"It was pretty clear that I had to work on specific things in the offseason," said Williamson, who plays AAU basketball but still finds time for soccer and tennis at Pingree. "Last summer I did a ton of work at Hoop Mountain camps (held at Stonehill College and elsewhere). I got fouled a lot last season and shot about 50 percent from the line, so that had to get better and it has. My midrange game came along with that, so I've been able to add some stuff. I just want to have a good repertory. It gives me more options out there."

Pingree's veteran point guard, Carlos O'Donnell of Salem, says Williamson's expanded game makes the Highlanders more dangerous than ever.

"He's definitely the most gifted player I've seen here," said O'Donnell, who's been with the varsity for four years. "I love his length, jumping ability and his desire to go after the ball. He's improved his shooting big time. People used to shy off him and let him take the jumper, but they can't do that anymore. And when we get out in the open court, I love feeding him the ball knowing a huge dunk is coming up. That really juices up our team."

Although he still has about 50 games remaining in his Pingree career, college ball seems like it'll be in Williamson's future. Assuming he hasn't reached a plateau just yet, Williamson should have a lot of choices, according to his coach.

"He's only played organized basketball for a few years, so his upside is really tremendous," said Gibbs. "I've been scouting players at Hoop Mountain for 22 years and Allen is as good a prospect as you can find. He's going to be an impact player in college. He has a chance to play Division 1 if he keeps improving his perimeter game, his handle and all that stuff. Or he could be an All-American in Division 3. In any case, he's got a great basketball/academic combination going."

Williamson isn't doing much speculating at this point. He's close to Pratt and the rest of his teammates and he's enjoying life at Pingree, where the students all know each other.

"School always comes first," said Williamson. "That's the base for my future, so I have to keep getting good grades. To be honest, I'm just trying to do my best and we'll see what comes along."

Gibbs will be the last coach to cut him. That much seems certain.