Meet Josh Allen

 photo courtesy of Andy Alfaro/Modesto Bee

Josh Allen isn't an import. No, Modesto Junior College Coach Paul Brogan didn't stitch him up from spare parts left over in his office. Out of Modesto's Downey High, Allen grayshirted last year with the Pirates but the 6-foot-7, 190-pound frontcourter so far this season has been, in teenage parlance, awesome.

Try:

* 22 points/nine boards against Lassen
* 29 points laid on Merced
* 32 points, 16 rebounds, five steals, and four blocks versus Redwoods
* 21 points, 12 rebounds and eight rejections opposite Los Medanos
* an 18 point, 12 rebound, seven steal, five shotblock line facing off with Skyline
* 32 points and 12 rebounds when the Pirates took on Shasta

To date, Allen is averaging 20.5 points on 58% shooting plus 11.3 rebounds per contest. In addition, he is swatting away four shot attempts each outing.

"I knew he would be special but I didn't expect it this early," Brogan said. "Josh has barely scratched the surface but he's a gym rat. He's is fun to watch -- he put on a couple of dunk shows in games.'

So what has been the difference?

"Josh took ownership of everything, maturing mentally, understanding the game and how to act on the court," Brogan explained.

He added, "He has the ability of a high major prospect with his athleticism, his length and his skills. We need him to be around the basket but Josh has perimeter skills and a good mid-range game. He's worked on his shot."

This isn't Brogan's first rodeo so he cautiously offered "we're pretty talented, top to bottom. But in reference to players moving on and up, "it's a matter of getting it done in the classroom."