Thornton legend Allen passes away

Updated: March 22, 2011 4:08PM

Michael Allen, one of the most prolific boys basketball scorers in the history of the south suburbs during his career at Thornton High School, died Saturday in Evansville, Ind. He was 36.

"Michael passed away because of complications from diabetes," his older brother, Marc, said. "Michael had a lot of health problems in the last 10 years, including a bout with pancreatitis."

In his three-year varsity career at Thornton, Allen finished as the Harvey school's second all-time leading scorer behind Tracy Webster. A two-time All-Stater, Allen, a 6-foot-2 guard averaged 27 points for a Wildcats team that compiled a 28-2 record and lost to Proviso East in the 1993 Class AA Hinsdale Supersectional.

As a junior during the 1991-92 season, Allen averaged 25.5 points per game.

"I feel like I've lost a son," said Vennie Raybon, who was an assistant coach to Sam Cameli during Allen's years at Thornton. "The Thornton basketball family is devastated. He was one of the greatest players in school history, ranking right there with Tracy Webster, Lloyd Batts and Lamar Thomas.

"Michael had incredible determination. He refused to lose. Sometimes he drove coach Cameli crazy at practice, but when it was game time, Michael was on. He was a natural scorer, a great free-throw shooter. In his senior year, Michael had something like 39 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in a win over Mount Carmel in the sectional championship. That Mount Carmel team had Antoine Walker and Donovan McNabb on it."

Raybon knew Thornton was getting a special athlete when he saw Allen play in seventh grade at Rosa Parks School.

"The first game I saw him play he had 30 points," Raybon said. "He loved being in the gym and shooting baskets. You had to turn off the lights to get him out of there."

After graduating from Thornton in 1993, Allen spent one year at Barton Community College in Kansas, and one year at Olney Central College in downstate Illinois. With his basketball career over, he moved to Evansville and attended Ivy Tech Community College, but didn't graduate.

"When Michael got sick, he went on disability," Marc said.

Allen is survived by his son. Jordan, daughters Mikayla, Mikaia, Xanasia and Mickal, mother Terri, sisters Keisha and Dawn, and brother Marc.

Visitation is from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday at A.A. Rayner & Sons Funeral Home, 318 W. 71st St., Chicago. There will be a wake from 10 to 11 a.m. and funeral from 11 a.m. to noon Monday at New Bethel Church, 15912 Lincoln Ave., Harvey. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting monetary donations to Terri Allen, 735 W. 117th St., Chicago, IL 60628.

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