Miami Norland basketball prospect has returned, hoping to lead Vikings to state title

Marcus Allen, a 6-6 senior forward, could’ve played for just about any high school in the country.

Except, perhaps, for the one he really wanted.

Allen, a four-star recruit who has signed with the University of Missouri, played his freshman and sophomore years at Miami Norland High. But then, wanting to compete against a national schedule, Allen left home for AZ Compass High in Chandler, Arizona.

Coach Lawton Williams III – who has won six state titles at Norland -- was hurt by Allen’s transfer.

“Marcus is more like my son than a player,” Williams said. “I’ve known him since he was in the seventh grade.”

However, even while Allen was in Arizona, he kept in touch with his friends/ex-teammates at Norland. As time wore on, Allen hinted that he wanted to come back to Norland for his senior year.

The Norland players reported this news back to Williams. The coach’s initial reaction was more like a growl than an actual word.

“Arrrrrrrh,” Williams told The Herald when asked for initial thoughts on Allen’s prospective return. “I had trust issues.”

Williams wasn’t going to take Allen back ... until they had an epic two-hour face-to-face meeting in the coach’s office.

“It was emotional on both sides,” Williams said. “It wasn’t, ‘He’s coming back, everybody’s happy.’ There was anger. There were tears.”

Ultimately, Williams relented, and now Norland – with Allen and seven other seniors – is considered the favorite to win the 2024 state title in Class 5A.

In fact, Williams, who is not prone to predictions, said this:

“I will be surprised if we don’t win state.”

To prepare for the state finals in March at Lakeland, Williams has loaded up his schedule. The Vikings will play five reigning state champs: Columbus (7A); Belen (5A); Mater Lakes (4A); Riviera Prep (3A); and Sagemont (2A).

“If you are good in Miami,” Williams said, “we’re playing you.”

Indeed, Norland lost its season opener last week to Tampa SLAM, 74-63, although Allen was outstanding with 22 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. He made 9-of-11 on 2-pointers and 4-of-5 on free throws, and his only downfall was his 0-for-3 shooting on 3-pointers.

Besides Allen, the Vikings have another Division I recruit – 6-6 senior shooting guard Tristan Wilson, who has signed with Presbyterian College.

Wilson, one of four returning starters, led the Vikings last season with a 16.9 scoring average. He also provided 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Williams said 6-7 senior forward Kendrick Preston is the team’s most improved player after he averaged just 2.1 points and 4.6 rebounds last season.

Jamal Ware, a 6-4 senior wing, is another key Vikings player because of his ability to play any position.

Then there’s Allen, who – as a sophomore – led Norland in scoring (18.2) and rebounding (7.7).

Allen is an elite defender, and he improved overall at Compass, a school that is ranked seventh in the nation even without him. While Allen was at Compass, the entire roster was made up of Division I recruits, which made for highly competitive practices.

“I needed a new challenge at the time,” Allen said of his decision to play his junior year at Compass. “I felt that playing there was going to elevate my game, and it did.

“It has helped me prepare for college.”

But Allen, a Miami native of Haitian ancestry, said he missed his family, especially his grandmother, Angelita Mehu, and his mom, Angie Saint Jean.

Allen also missed his teammates, and the feeling was mutual.

“To me, Marcus is like a brother,” Wilson said. “I met him in the eighth grade, and we’re real close. Our entire team is close.”

Wilson said Allen is a “great addition” to the 2023-2024 Vikings.

“I feel like we’re definitely going to win state,” Wilson said. “Marcus is a big part of our offense, and he’s a great defender.”

Williams said Allen is much more of a leader now than he when he was here as just a young but talented sophomore.

Then again, with eight seniors this season, it’s an entire rotation full of leaders.

“Those other seniors don’t mind calling Marcus out (if he does something wrong),” Williams said of the Norland culture. “And he gets on them, too.”

Allen, who said it was tough being out on his own at age 17 in Arizona last year, said he has been pleasantly surprised by how much better all his Vikings teammates have gotten since he was here as a sophomore.

The goal this season, Allen said, is to win state, which is something the Vikings have not done since 2015.

On that point, Williams and Allen are in perfect agreement.

“We’re ready,” Williams said. “We’re hungry.”