By Ronald Hanaki
Sports Editor
Rasheed Moore, a senior on ESU’s Men’s Basketball team, was named to the NABC Division II All-Atlantic Region team last Monday.
“The awards and accomplishments make me feel great, but at the end of the day, I’d rather have team success,” stated Moore.
Moore recently completed his collegiate basketball career at ESU by leading the Warriors to the PSAC Quarterfinal game. But as good as last season was, nothing compared to his freshman season.
During Moore’s freshman year, the team opened the season 20-0 and finished the season 30-2 en route to a PSAC championship.
“I was happy to be part of the team during the PSAC championship season. It was surreal,” recalled Moore.
After winning the PSAC championship, the Warriors advanced to play West Liberty in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Final in front of the Koehler Krazies where West Liberty defeated ESU 89-82.
“West Liberty was second in the region behind us. It was two great teams playing, and somebody had to lose,” said Moore.
Before coming to ESU, Moore was a highly touted high school basketball recruit.
“I had some Division I looks and a lot of Division II looks. But when it came down to finally making a decision, I wanted to be close to home. ESU was the best fit for possibly playing right away and my family only being 45 minutes away,” said Moore.
“Actually, me and Ryan [Krawczeniuk] went to the same school,” continued Moore. “We have played together since we were five years old,” said Moore.
“Coaches saw me as a 3-4 combo, but I ended up playing the five [center position] as a freshman because of injuries to the team,” said Moore.
“I finished averaging 13.6 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game and was named PSAC East Freshman of the Year,” said Moore.
“I was an outside player in high school, but I moved back to the four after Steve Harris got healthy,” said Moore.
Moore is happy that he chose ESU.
“ESU is probably the best decision I made not only basketball-wise, but school-wise. And if I ever needed to go home, it’s only 45 minutes away,” said Moore.
Moore has had an outstanding career at ESU. After winning a PSAC championship during his freshman year, the Warriors won the PSAC East during his sophomore year.
“I was content with my role, but I knew I’d have to step it up in my sophomore year,” said Moore.
“I was a guy who led by example–do what I’m supposed to and how it’s supposed to be done. So being a vocal leader was hard for me at first,” said Moore.
Moore revealed that he had a difficult time adjusting to ESU’s Men’s Basketball head coach Jeff Wilson’s press defense when he first came to ESU.
“At first, it was a rough adjustment. The major thing is your conditioning and how hard you can play for the entire 40 minutes,” said Moore.
Moore also credits former Assistant Coach Justin Potts for his development as a basketball player.
“I still talk to him,” continued Moore. “He saw things that I did wrong that he would have adjusted or told me to do differently.”
“Eventually, I might want to get into coaching. I didn’t really think about coaching until my senior year. But somewhere down the road, I might want to get into coaching,” said Moore.
Moore probably waited until his senior year to have his finest game. He scored 33 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the PSAC first round game against Lock Haven University.
“I came in with the mindset that I wasn’t going to allow this to be my last game,” said Moore.
“We lost Senior Night to Shippensburg, so I didn’t want it to be my last game,” said Moore.
“Me and [fellow senior] Quindell Brice both came out with the mindset that this wasn’t going to be our last game, and we both had great games that day. That was the best game I have ever played,” said Moore.
Nevertheless, Moore remembers Senior Night as a special evening.
“Even though we lost, we were able to celebrate with friends and teammates. It’s a night that I’ll never forget. It was a great night that me and Quindell were able to share together,” said Moore.
In the postseason PSAC Tournament, the Warriors would lose to Shippensburg in the PSAC quarterfinal game.
“We had a very young team this year that has to learn to play better down the stretch,” said Moore.
“Losing Steve Harris early on definitely hurt us as a team. He’s a guy who plays 25 minutes a game and averages a double-double,” said Moore.
“But Chris Bing played almost the minutes that Steve played, and Ralik [Wise] from the bench played amazing. Guys like Steve Stoney and Josh Williams started to play a major role before he [Williams] got hurt. We ended up having a pretty good year,” said Moore.
Moore is a hotel, restaurant and tourism management major.
“I like the different aspects to HRTM. There is so much more to it. I got into a lot of the recreational stuff. There is a wide market with a lot of jobs available,” said Moore.
But for right now, Moore wants to play basketball professionally.
“I might go overseas and play like Duane [Johnson] and TK [Terrance King] and see where that takes me,” said Moore.
So what is Rasheed Moore’s legacy?
“Hopefully, I’m remembered as a great guy who had a successful career here on and off the court. I want to be remembered as someone who would do anything he can to help anyone,” stated Moore.
Email Ronald at:
rhanaki@live.esu.edu
