Radnor forward Allison Lanzone is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week

The 5-foot-9 junior forward averaged 17 points and nine rebounds per game in a 3-0 week for the Red Raiders, including a career-high 23 points against Interboro. Last winter, she earned second team All-Main Line honors as Radnor advanced to the PIAA Class AAAA state tournament for the first time ever. She is a three-sport athlete at Radnor (basketball, lacrosse and soccer) and vice-president of her junior class.

Q: In a three-game stretch, you pulled down 27 rebounds. What has been the key to your fine rebounding during that stretch?

A: Throughout the season we have focused on rebounding and limiting the put-backs other teams score on us.  Quick rebounding followed by a long pass down the court for an easy layup by a teammate is something Radnor tries to do, so rebounding is key to our game.

Q: Who is your favorite basketball player, and why? Is there a player whose game you try to pattern yours after?

A: My favorite basketball player is Steph Curry because of his quick moves and agility on the court.  While we play different positions, I admire his proactive play, and strive to be an agile player.

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.

A: After school on game day I typically head to Wawa in Wayne for a pregame snack, and then I head home before going to the gym.  I will usually watch film, then head to the gym early so I can take my time getting ready and mentally preparing.

Q: What is your favorite basketball venue, and why?

A: The Villanova Pavilion is my favorite basketball venue.  My freshman year we won the District Championship on that floor, so watching games on the court after playing on it is very cool.

Q: You scored a career-high 23 points against Interboro recently. What was the key to your performance that day? What is your most vivid memory of that game – can you share it with us?

 A: I’ve been working really hard this year to improve my game, but my teammates played a huge part in helping me put up points with [their] assists.  I have also been working on my foul shots with the help of my coaches, and knocking them down during the game gave me a lot of confidence with the other aspects of my game.  We came out hard in the second half, and our quick start allowing us to score a streak of points was a high point of the game.

 

Q: What do you think is the strongest part of your game? What part of your game are you currently working on the most?

A: This year I have focused on my moves underneath the basket and driving to the hoop, which is a strong and important part of my game.  I’m currently focusing on improving my form on jump shots and free throws.

 

Q: Who have been your biggest basketball mentors, and what was the important thing each of them taught you?

A: My current coaches have been incredibly instrumental in my development as a basketball player.  I began my high school career as an athlete on the basketball court, but I’ve been pushed by both Coach Jordan and Coach Williamson over the past few years which has turned me into a basketball player.  They have both pushed me to work on my moves under the basket, and have helped me come a long way since my freshman year.

Q: You’re also a fine lacrosse player. What (to you) has been your most memorable experience in your lacrosse career to date?

A: Last year, we made it into the state playoffs as well as district playoffs.  I was lucky to be able to improve over the season by playing with such talented upperclassmen at Radnor, and being a part of such a successful team during playoffs was incredible.

Q: Would you like to play basketball or lacrosse in college? What colleges are among your current favorites? What would you like to major in at college? Is there a particular career field that interests you at the present time?

A: I am currently looking to play lacrosse in college.  Academics are very important to me, and I am lucky enough to be talking to some Ivy league schools at the moment.  I am potentially seeking to major in the medical field, but I don’t know at the moment the specific field in which I would like to concentrate.

Q: Other than basketball and lacrosse, do you participate in any other extracurricular activities at Radnor? What sparked your interest in these activities?

A: I have also played soccer my whole life, and have been starting on the varsity team at Radnor since my freshman year.  Sports are a huge aspect of my life, and I stay very busy juggling schedules.  I am a youth soccer ref and youth lacrosse coach for Radnor.  In addition to sports, I am involved at school as Vice President for the Junior class at Radnor and a member of many clubs.  I love being involved in my school and the community, so being an active member through clubs and sports is incredibly rewarding.

Fun Facts – Allison Lanzone

Favorite book: Unbroken.

Favorite author: John Green.

Favorite TV show: Scandal.

Favorite movie: We Are Marshall.

Favorite athlete: Abby Wambach.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: My House.

Favorite team: Stanford football.

Favorite place to visit: North Carolina coast.

Favorite pre-game meal: Wawa hoagie.

Birth date: Jan. 23, 1999 in Charlotte, N.C.

(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)