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StumbleuponRoberts to play basketball for RedHawks
He becomes first Middie since Ryan Fletcher in 1995 to sign letter of intent to Division I college before senior year.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
MIDDLETOWN — For the first time since 1995, Middletown High School has a student-athlete officially committed to a Division I college in boys basketball.
Senior Allen Roberts signed his national letter of intent Wednesday, Nov. 12 — the first day of the early signing period — during a brief ceremony in the high school library. He will play basketball for the Miami RedHawks next year.
"It's a good fit for me," Roberts said. "Staying close to home was important. I was somewhat nervous about this day, but I handled it all right."
Roberts is the first Middie basketball player since Ryan Fletcher to sign while in high school to a Division I college. Fletcher played for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats.
"Miami is a great basketball program," said Middletown coach Bob Ronai, who expects to have at least one more player commit to a Division I program in the future. "Allen has talent, but what people don't realize is the hours of hard work he puts in to refine his skill so he can play at that level."
Roberts is a three-sport athlete at MHS, who also competes in track and football.
In fact, even after making a verbal commitment to Miami for basketball earlier this year, he was still getting offers for football from schools such as Iowa, Illinois and Marshall.
"Football is great and I enjoy playing it," Roberts said, "but basketball is what I love. It's what I have grown accustomed to since I was young.
"Basketball has opened a lot of doors for me to be successful in school and in the community," he added.
Roberts averaged 15.8 points per game last season, and received several postseason honors, including being named to the Greater Miami Conference first team and receiving Division I Southwest honorable mention.
"The one thing I've really enjoyed about Allen is that what you see in a game is what you get in practice," Ronai said. "He is a warrior. He plays hard and with a lot of enthusiasm. Miami is fortunate to have a kid who understands what it takes.
"I know this has been a dream of his and now he has the opportunity to do what he really wanted to do."
Roberts admitted feeling relief from the college-making decision, but now faces a pressure-packed senior season.
"I think the pressure turns up a bit," Roberts said. "Last year, we did something, but it wasn't enough. We've got to get to state this year."
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852
or sweaver@coxohio.com.
