Thursday, March 28, 2024
43.0°F

Senior Spotlight: Allbee is a student of the game

by DYLAN GREENE
Sports Editor | June 10, 2020 1:00 AM

Editor’s note: This article is part of a recurring series on local high school athletes who had their seasons cut short or canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

PRIEST RIVER — Whenever Justin Allbee steps on a baseball field, a feeling of excitement rushes over him.

There’s just something about the game that has always peaked his interest.

“Everybody has one thing that they really love and want to do — to me that was baseball,” Allbee said.

At age 3, Allbee’s uncle, Joey, and dad, Brian, had him hitting off of a tee and by the time he was 5, he was playing T-ball. And he hasn’t stopped playing the sport since.

A passion for baseball certainly runs in the family, but Allbee just enjoyed the adrenaline he experienced when on the field. Growing up, Allbee challenged himself to be the best he could possibly be and he never settled for less.

In elementary school, Allbee’s dad was his coach and he’d stick him wherever he needed him. The only position he didn’t play — outfielder.

“I’m too slow for outfield, that’s what everyone yells and tells me about,” Allbee joked.

Allbee’s versatility continued when he reached high school. He mainly played second base and pitcher but Priest River head baseball coach Mark Schultz felt comfortable playing him pretty much anywhere in the infield.

“[Schultz] didn’t care how I played or how good I was, he just knew he could stick me out there wherever anytime and he relied on me like that,” Allbee said.

As a junior, Allbee had a .319 batting average and struck out 31 batters in 24 innings of work. He even started on the mound for the Spartans in their second game at state last year.

Just like every senior on the Priest River squad, Allbee was really looking to build off that success and have a memorable final season.

When Allbee learned that he wouldn’t get a chance to play with his teammates this year, he was devastated. He had dreams of taking the field on senior night and getting one final moment to shine in front of his friends and family. Allbee said it’s one of the most difficult things he’s dealt with.

“When I think about it, it hurts,” he said.

But Allbee has been able to stay busy and keep his mind of that pain by working at the Idaho Department of Lands in Coolin.

Schultz said Allbee was a great teammate that showed up ready to work every day.

“If he wasn’t in the game, he was still in the game,” Schultz said. “He supported his teammates all the time.”

Schultz said Allbee was confident when he took the mound and was just a gamer. Schultz called Allbee “a student of the game” because his knowledge and understanding of the sport was unmatched.

Allbee watches Major League Baseball all the time and can’t remember the last time he missed a Seattle Mariners game.

Allbee is thankful that baseball has been such a major part of his life. It’s taught him to never quit and to always push his limits. It also drove him to stay focused in the classroom and get good grades.

Allbee will attend Lewis-Clark State College this fall, but is still trying to figure out what career he wants to pursue. Allbee appreciates all the support he has received from his family over the years, especially his mom, Jen, and grandpa, Jerry, who passed away this past winter.

Allbee’s favorite high school memory is a funny one. Allbee is known for being a hard sleeper and sleeping through pretty much anything and going into the state tournament last year his teammates had a feeling that might be a problem. Sure enough, it was.

After the Spartans lost their opening game at state, Allbee returned to his room and went to bed knowing he had to get up early in the morning for the team’s second game. That didn’t stop him from oversleeping and after multiple attempts by his teammates to wake him up, in came Schultz.

Allbee remembers opening his eyes and seeing Schultz standing in the doorway, staring at him with his “demon eyes.” Allbee rolled over and before he knew it, Schultz was running over to jump on top of him.

Allbee has always had a close relationship with his coach and Schultz said he’ll miss watching the senior turn double plays.

Allbee said Schultz has always been there for him and he can’t imagine playing baseball without him.

“He’s like family to me,” Allbee said. “He’s special.”

In his own words: Justin Allbee

“I’m Justin Allbee and I am a senior at Priest River Lamanna High School. I play baseball for PRLHS. I play any position, mainly second base and pitching, and I love to pitch! I plan on going to LCSC after high school and I’m not sure what I want to go into for college. I want to say thank you to everyone in my life that helped me get to my end goal, which is graduating. I want to thank a couple people individually, No. 1 my mom. She’s always been my biggest supporter in everything I do and she’s there watching/helping me through any and every thing! I also want to thank coach Schultz for teaching me everything he’s ever taught me in baseball and helping me with my schoolwork as well. I want to thank him for being as kind natured as he is and for being one of the most outstanding human beings ever! Another thank you goes out to my girlfriend, Jaelin. I want to thank her for always being there for me and helping me in every way she can, and making me feel like the most important guy in the world. I also want to thank my family for all they’ve done and do for me, and friends for always being there for me!”