Alisha Allen can remember a lot of moments throughout her women’s basketball career at Nicholls State. She can recall making a half-court shot at the buzzer, she can reminisce on all of the game winning shots she’s made, and she can vividly picture her struggles as a freshman.
Four years ago, Allen served as a forward on head coach DoBee Plaisance’s second team at Nicholls State. They won a total of four games. Before she came, Plaisance tried to recruit her after only winning two games in her first season as the Colonels head coach.
“What is so special about Alisha was all she had to go on was my vision,” Plaisance said.
Allen bought into Plaisance’s vision and formed a dynamic relationship with her coach.
 “Coach Plaisance meant everything to me,” Allen said.
Allen said that Plaisance always taught her to do the right thing on and off the court and that she would go to her often about situations outside of basketball. Plaisance would be there for her and guide her toward focusing on God, helping her get through whatever struggles she had.
 “She will always instill the dream in you, even when you think you can’t do something,” Allen said.
 So when Plaisance told Allen that they would compete with LSU, even though they did not have the talent to do so at the time, Allen believed her and became Plaisance’s first ever verbal commit.
 “The one thing I can always remember about Coach DoBee is that she wanted to win from day one, even when we didn’t have as much talent,” Allen said. “That’s one thing about her:  she will never give up. “
Fast forward four years and 1,591 points later, and Allen is making history with Plaisance, as well as breaking records. Allen finished second in school history in total points scored and holds the school record for most blocks with 107. However, the number Allen takes most pride in is 19. That number symbolizes how many wins the Colonels were able to mount, which happens to be the most wins in team history. With Plaisance surrounding Allen with talent, the Colonels were able to break last season’s school record of 15. Allen enjoyed every minute of it because this was the season she became the leader of her team.
 “I was a good player before, but this past season, I was able to lead the team for the first time and that was a big deal for me,” Allen said.
Though Allen admits that she wishes she could have done more and led the Colonels to a conference championship, she still takes pride in everything that she has accomplished at Nicholls. From leading her squad to the most wins in school history to finishing second in most points scored by a Nicholls women’s basketball players, Allen has solidified her legacy as a Colonel.
“I feel like I went out with a bang.”