Stand tall… for Landry Allen, a senior at Tuttle High School, these words are her walk of life. 

Playing basketball since she was in the third grade, the 6-foot-3 starting center for the Lady Tigers remains taller than most others on the basketball court.

“I don’t remember exactly how tall I was when I started playing basketball, but I do know I was always the tallest in the room. In the seventh grade I was on the verge of six feet,” said Allen. “My style of play is just true post play. The best parts of my game are my jump shot and the ability to understand everything that goes on around me.”

The results speak for themselves. Last year as a sophomore, “Landro” dominated play in the state tournament earning MVP honors as the Lady Tigers captured the Class 4A state championship. This year, Allen remains a force as the top-ranked Tigers try to go back-to-back by averaging 13 points per game while making 61-percent of her shot attempts along with grabbing 9.0 rebounds and 4-plus blocks.

“She has a great work ethic and is highly skilled. She’s the best shot blocker I have ever coached,” replied Tuttle girls coach Brian Lester. “She’s not only a great basketball player, Landry is an even better person.”

Allen’s basketball talents have earned her multiple Division I college basketball offers including her commitment to play at the University of Oklahoma. 

“I had eight D-I offers, but nothing could compare to OU. I grew up in Oklahoma being a die hard Sooners fan, so when I finally had the chance to possibly play for them, I took it,” Allen said with confidence. “If you ask anyone who knows me, they would say I’m a big homebody, and OU is home and always will be.”

The ever-smiling Allen also maintains a 4.0 GPA and last spring captured the silver medal in the high jump competition at the state track meet. 

The opportunity to “stand tall” is more than just basketball according to Allen, who is described by most as determined, deeply religious and encouraging to others.

“What’s most important is being religious, because nothing means more to me than my faith. Without God, I wouldn’t have gotten close to accomplishing all the things I have,” Allen expressed with a voice of gratitude. “I’m a very caring and trustworthy person. My character is very important to me because I want to be more like Christ in every way, starting with the way I present myself to other people.”

Landry Allen lets her actions do all the talking as she continues to raise the bar of expectation on and off the court and proves the value of standing tall.