3 days Ago
Name: Zion Moore School: Belle Vernon Grade: Senior Sport: Basketball Moore’s week: There’s a sense of confidence that flows through Moore as he steps onto a basketball court. That’s understandable, considering he led the WPIAL in scoring last year and has backed it up this season by averaging 28.7 points through the first six games.
He bolstered that number last week by scoring 30 points in a 74-63 win over McKeesport last Wednesday, a performance that turned out to be an appetizer for what was to come. Two days later, Moore poured in 40 points to help the Leopards win a high-scoring affair, 92-82, in their Class 4A Section 3 opener against West Mifflin. He sank a half-dozen 3-pointers in the game.
Consistency in his game and his mindset helps him flourish. “I play the same way every game,” Moore said. “If my shot is falling, it’s falling.
I feel good coming into any game. I know what I can do.” Lit-up scoreboard: Those in attendance at West Mifflin for last Friday’s game likely saw one of the highest scoring games of the WPIAL high school basketball season.
The teams combined for 174 points. Each team made nine 3-pointers and neither team made a living at the foul line. West Mifflin made 13 free throws and Belle Vernon sank 11.
The rematch is scheduled for Jan. 13 at Belle Vernon. For Moore, it was a thrill to play in a high-scoring, fast-paced game.
“Games like that are pretty fun to play in,” Moore said. “I feel like there should’ve been more defense played, but it was physical. Scoring points was easy, but we could’ve played way better defense.
” Junk defenses: As Moore continues to put up points, he’s seen a variety of defenses thrown at him. He listed off the ways teams try to counter him on a given night. “I see double-teams.
Box-in-ones. I get face-guarded, but that’s usually not until later in the games,” Moore said. “The first quarter it’ll be man-up, but when we get later into the second quarter that’s when teams will try to deny me the ball.
” Moore sees the attention as a sign of respect and enjoys the process of finding a way to score. “I know it’s going to come to me eventually, so I just play off the ball as much as I can,” Moore said. “I run off screens, get to open spots and try to get open off the ball.
” Chasing 2,000: Moore has more than 1,700 points and there’s a good chance he surpasses 2,000 by the time his high school career comes to an end this season. He played his freshman year at Ringgold before moving to Belle Vernon for his sophomore, junior and now senior years. Surpassing 2,000 points is on Moore’s list of goals, which also include team goals like winning a section title and a WPIAL title.
“I don’t want to rush it,” Moore said. “If I rush it, it may affect the way we play the game. It’ll come eventually.
” Compiled by Jerin Steele.
