DOVER — Jordan Allen had a message for those closest to him — don’t miss Thursday night’s game.

And Allen put on a show for those who listened to him.

Allen tied his career-high with 40 points and scored the 1,000th point of his career in Dover High’s 82-45 victory over Polytech in a Henlopen Conference Northern Division boys’ basketball contest.

Allen netted 33 of those points in the second half.

Allen, a senior and Rider University commit, needed 38 points entering the game to reach No. 1,000.

“I was telling everybody, ‘Make sure you’re here because I’m pretty sure I can do it,’” Allen said. “The second half, that’s when I like to take over. But if it wasn’t for my teammates getting me the ball, rebounding and things like that, I wouldn’t have got it tonight.”

Allen became the third player under coach Stephen Wilson to score 1,000 points at Dover (2-0 North, 2-1 overall). Wilson was hired in 2008.

Wilson, like Allen, also had a good feeling headed into Thursday night.

“I was in the shower this morning and I said, ‘I can feel it. He’s going to do it tonight,’” Wilson said. “All these kids are just preparing so hard. They’re doing everything right. They’re coming to practice, they’re in study hall and are focused a little more than last year.

“I know it’s only three games into the season, but I’m excited to see them at the end of the year. I can’t read the future, but I can appreciate what they’ve done in these first three games.”

While the spotlight was on Allen at the end of the night, it was his teammates who helped build a 35-21 halftime advantage.

Steven Justice scored 11 of his 13 points in the first half while Thomas Hoskins netted eight of his 10 points in the first two quarters. Allen was tied with Terrence Woodlin at seven points apiece as Dover’s third-leading scorer at the break.

The Senators finished the second quarter on a 12-0 run. Allen had just two of those 12 points as the Senators spread the wealth around.

“That’s what team basketball is about,” Allen said. “It’s not all about one player. You focus on the team. Everybody share the ball, everybody touch it and everybody score. We’re all having fun.”

“Jordan believes in his teammates so much,” Wilson said. “His teammates are his best friends.”

Allen began the third quarter with a layup followed by a three-pointer on the first two possessions. He scored 18 points and was 3-of-4 on threes in the quarter.

His fourth quarter was highlighted by a one-handed dunk as the crowd rose to its feet as Allen drew closer and closer to 1,00. He made another three to pull within a point.

After a player-control foul and a travel briefly disappointed the Senator fans, Allen drove baseline and finished a layup while being fouled. The game was momentarily stopped as his teammates congratulated him and the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

Allen drained the resulting free throw for his final point of the night.

Polytech was paced by Chase Chappel’s 13 points. Josh smith and Zach Price chipped in 12 points apiece for the Panthers (0-2 North, 0-2 overall), who are trying to replace eight players from last year’s state runnerup team.

Wilson was still pleased to see Dover defeat the defending conference champion.

“They’re the champion until someone takes that away from them,” Wilson said. “What we’re trying to do is to do what they’ve done. We want a division and a conference championship, too.”