All-Area Boys Basketball: Rodmik Allen leads New Hanover to historic heights

It doesn't take many guesses to figure out what Rodmik Allen loves doing most.

The New Hanover junior has been a staple of Wildcats basketball since he earned a starting role as a freshman three seasons ago, and his performance only improved this winter.

Continuing to dazzle this season, Allen scored a Mideastern Conference-best 17.6 points per game while dealing 140 assists. The junior was the face of a Wildcats team (32-1) that made a state championship appearance for the first time since 2012 and is the StarNews All-Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

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"It was a great season," Allen said. "We have a lot to be proud of, especially being a younger group."

New Hanover went further than any area team this winter, falling just short of an NCHSAA 4A state title. The championship appearance was the fourth of its kind for a New Hanover County high school sports team since last spring (Ashley girls soccer, New Hanover girls tennis, Hoggard football).

"It's wonderful that all of us can make history of our own," he said of the Wilmington area's recent success. "Wilmington doesn't get too much recognition, so being able to do that for the city means a lot."

While he played football at a young age, basketball ascended to the forefront of Allen's sights around age five. The game wasn't just fun; it was familiar.

Allen's uncle, Kadeem, helped the Wildcats win a state title in 2012 before being drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2017.

"It meant a lot to carry on that legacy of my uncle and just do what we do," Allen said. "Not a lot of people make it from Wilmington, so it gives me the motivation to hope that I can do that too."

As he moves further into the limelight, Allen has garnered more attention, something he says drives him to keep improving.

"When the younger kids come up to me and say I'm they're favorite player, it gives me a lot of confidence."

Allen reached 1,000 career points this postseason, and while he'll take some time to reflect on this winter success, his mind is already moving forward.

"I'm just ready to get back for next season and work," Allen said. "We're ready to get out there and show what we can do."

2024 StarNews All-Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year

Bobbing and weaving his way to the basket in jaw-dropping fashion all season long, Allen made a habit of making defenders look silly this winter. Averaging a Mideastern Conference-best 17.6 points per game, Allen led the Wildcats to their first state title appearance in 12 years.

2024 StarNews All-Area Boys Basketball First Team

Nolan Billings, Jr., New Hanover: Billings served as the Wildcats leading big man for most of the season, averaging 12.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

Malakhi Daniels, Sr., North Brunswick: Even as he took fewer shots this winter, Daniels still averaged 14.5 ppg and led the Scorpions to their first playoff win in over a decade.

Aidan Davies, Sr., Coastal Christian: Davies averaged a terrific 20.8 ppg, leading the Centurians to a 16-16 record.

Sherrod Henderson, Jr., Trask: Henderson recorded 13 double-doubles while averaging 14.5 points per game.

Hezron Driver, Sr., Laney: Driver's 11.5 ppg and MEC-best 210 rebounds led the Buccaneers to a second-place MEC finish.

Myron McKoy, Sr., Trask: McKoy led the Waccamaw Conference with 20.6 ppg, leading the Titans to a 24-5 record and third-round playoff appearance.

2024 StarNews All-Area Boys Basketball Second Team

Zeus Batts, Jr., New Hanover: The Wildcats guard was one of the MEC's best 3-point shooters, draining 45 shots from beyond the arc.

Quinn Bentley, Jr., Ashley: Bentley came alive as the Screaming Eagles' top scorer midway through the season, averaging 12 points per game.

Ronnie Ballard, Sr., North Brunswick: Ballard averaged 10.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game as a key piece of the Scorpions success this winter.

Parker Crittenden, Sr., New Hanover: Crittenden got his chance to shine in the latter half of the season, knocking down 40 3-pointers.

Jaylen Herring, Sr., Hoggard: Herring was the Vikings top scorer this season, averaging 11.8 ppg while recording a team-best 65 assists.

Jaelon Johnson, Sr., South Brunswick: After back-to-back season-ending injuries, Johnson finally got his shine this winter, averaging 13.7 ppg.

Joshua Helms, Sr., Laney: Helms's 11.7 ppg helped Laney knock off every conference opponent except New Hanover.

All Conference Selections

Mideastern Conference

Boys basketball

Player of the Year: Rodmik Allen, New Hanover

Coach of the Year: Kyle Cross, North Brunswick

Team Sportsmanship: South Brunswick

First Team: Zeus Batts, New Hanover; Nolan Billings, New Hanover; Malakhi Daniels, North Brunswick; Hezron Driver, Laney; Jaylen Herring, Hoggard

Second Team: Ronnie Ballard, North Brunswick; Quinn Bentley, Ashley; Josiah Gillespie, Hoggard; Josh Helms, Laney; Jaelon Johnson, South Brunswick

Third Team: Kellum Brown, New Hanover; Jayzion Davis, Hoggard; K'Veon Griffin, West Brunswick; Spencer Henry, Topsail; Quin'sier Waddell, Laney.

Honorable Mention

Ashley: Keyon JonesHoggard: Hunter McGrath, Malakahi WestLaney: Shark Baynard, Trenton Hall, Jaquan BowenNew Hanover: Parker CrittendenNorth Brunswick: Caleb Bernard, Matthew McKenny, Terry HoodSouth Brunswick: Jayden DanielsTopsail: Duron Vaughn, Landon Kaiser, Rhett Britt, Jariel Howard, Caden WilsonWest Brunswick: Josiah Johnson, Jude Surigao

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 2024 StarNews All-Area boys basketball first and second teams