Allen Red Devils Struggle in Season Opener Against Treasure Valley

The Allen Red Devils faced a disappointing start to their 2026 basketball season, suffering a 63-52 defeat against the Treasure Valley College Chukars of Ontario, Oregon. This loss continues a troubling trend for the team, who have struggled since Thanksgiving and now seek to regain their momentum ahead of their Jayhawk Conference opener against Kansas City Kansas Community College on January 14.

Head coach Leslie Crane, who is on the brink of achieving her 500th career win, expressed frustration with her team’s performance. “We just did not play in the second quarter. We did not play hard in that whole first half,” Crane stated. The team showed resilience in the second half but ultimately fell short, unable to recover from a shaky first half.

The Red Devils began the game competitively, ending the first quarter tied 13-13. However, an underwhelming second quarter allowed Treasure Valley to build a 31-21 lead by halftime. Despite a spirited effort in the third quarter, Allen could not maintain their momentum and faced a familiar challenge of playing catch-up.

Karizma Johnson, a freshman guard, made an impactful contribution with a crucial 3-pointer that narrowed the deficit. The team rallied to close the gap, trailing 49-44 at one point. Nevertheless, the inability to convert offensive opportunities ultimately hampered their efforts. “We shot poorly, and you’re going to have games where you shoot poorly, but you have to play defense,” Crane emphasized, noting that a lack of communication and organization on defense contributed to their struggles.

The Red Devils managed to secure a remarkable 28 offensive rebounds, indicating their effort on the boards. Yet, they failed to capitalize on these opportunities, leading to frustration among the coaching staff. “It takes so much out of you to play catch up. That’s been the M.O. here these last two games,” Crane reflected. The pressure to convert chances into points loomed large over the team’s performance.

In terms of individual statistics, Jalynn Weakley led the team with 10 points, while Yolaine Luthi and Tawhirikura Doyle contributed 8 points each. Luthi also led the team in rebounds with 9. Despite the loss, Crane remains focused on refining the team’s skills and maintaining their competitive spirit. “We have to keep doing the things we’re doing. We keep drilling them,” she explained.

As the Red Devils prepare for their next match against Crowder College, they will aim to improve upon their 8-4 record. The upcoming game will provide an opportunity for redemption after their previous encounter with Crowder, which ended in a 79-65 loss. Following the match on Tuesday, Allen will have an eight-day break before embarking on their Jayhawk Conference campaign, with the first tip-off scheduled for 17:30 in Kansas City.

The Red Devils are determined to regain their footing and focus on converting their efforts into victories as the season progresses.