Prep profile Elicia Allen; The Q&A Q: How would you say the season has gone for your team so far? A: I would say the season has gone really well. Many people thought we wouldn't do very well simply for the fact that we're a young team and we graduated 11 seniors. Our goal at the beginning of the season was to be conference champions, and about halfway through we found out that maybe that wouldn't be possible, so we changed our goals around and we decided we would shoot for second place and also beat all the teams that beat us (in the first half of the season) in the second half, and we did that. This whole season has been wonderful. Q: What has the team done in the second half of the season to really improve and come together? A: We just jelled. Everything seemed to come together in the second half of the season, and we got used to how everyone played. The passing was good, the outside shooting got better, and I think everyone just got more comfortable with their shots. Q: You averaged a double-double this season in points and rebounds. What gives you more satisfaction the points or the rebounds? A: Definitely the rebounds. I think rebounding takes more desire. It's just a battle of the wills, so I'm much more proud of my rebounding than my scoring. Q: In Whitnall's last five games, you raised your scoring per game almost two points and your rebounding by almost four per game. What's your explanation for that jump in play? A: For one thing, the passing is great. The passing was better than it's been for the whole season. Maybe it's just because it's the end of the season and I'm just trying to help out even more. Everything just came together, and I'm just trying to be a part of it. Q: Whitnall is slated to face Greendale in the opening round of the playoffs on Thursday. What is the team's mind-set going into the game, knowing that Greendale is unbeaten this season? A: We're just going to go in there and give it our all and do the best that we can. Try to play our game and relax and let the game come to us. Never give up. Q: Did you like the role you played on the team this season really being a focal point down low? A: Yes, I do. Last year, I played the sixth man, which was fine, but I think I like it better now because the pressure kind of helps me to know what I do and how to get it done. I would say it keeps me more motivated. Q: Sometimes bigger players would prefer to play a different position but are forced down low strictly because of their height. Is there some secret part of you that perhaps would like to play a different position? A: No. No, not at all. I love the position that I play. I wouldn't want to play anything else but this position because for me, I can use my size to my advantage both ways. I can't imagine being a guard. I can't even fathom it. There's no other position I would like to play. I don't even like playing four (power forward), and I played that all last year. Q: Your father, Glen, played basketball at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and your brother, Glen Jr., was the conference player of the year at Whitnall a few years back. It seems that basketball is a big part of your family's life. A: Oh, yeah. My cousins played for the Milwaukee King teams that won the state championships, Otto McDuffie and Jamie Harrell. One plays at UWM and the other one used to play at Wisconsin, so I've been surrounded by basketball since I can remember. Q: Did you feel any pressure to carry on the family tradition and play basketball, or was it something you chose to do because you love the sport? A: They never really pushed me to play basketball. I walked into school the first day and I had no intentions really of playing, but then I saw how it was at the school and how important sports were, and the coaches had asked me if I was going to play because I was taller. So that's what really got me into it, not pressure from my family. Q: Does your family support you and give you pointers on your game? A: My parents have never missed a game. My grandmother comes, my aunts and uncles, so I have great support. They also give me a lot of help. For rebounding, they tell me to go to the ball, do this, do that. Just little stuff, but it helps me out. They can see from a different angle than I'm at, so it helps me. Q: You've received a lot of recognition because of your academic achievements as well as your athletic achievements. Which gives you more satisfaction? A: Academics mean a lot to me, because I know academics are going to be a stepping stone for me getting a good job. Sports are great, and I know it's another part of school, but academics come first. Plus I get so much support and motivation from my parents that by seeing them happy it makes me happy. So the academics I'm just as proud of, if not more proud of, than my athletics. Q: What are your goals coming into the track season now? A: My goals are to definitely make it to state in the shot, and to be the conference champion in the discus and shot. The way I throw (the discus) isn't something that would really get me to state, but I think to win my conference would be completely possible. But in the shot, I think I have a very good chance because I missed it by very little two years in a row. So this is the year, I feel. On a personal note Family: Father, Glen Sr.; mother, Elaine; brothers, Glen Jr., 22; Joseph, 13; David, 10; Kenneth, 10. Favorite food: Pizza. Favorite television show: "New York Undercover." Favorite movie: "Shawshank Redemption." Favorite actor: Denzel Washington. Hobbies: Listening to music, going out with my friends. Role models growing up: My parents and my grandparents. Best asset: Being able to communicate well and being assertive. I have a weakness for: Chocolate. Most prized possession: My life. I like people who: Will say that they are thinking and who are athletic. People like me because: I'm nice to everyone.