Sports
Boys Basketball: Junior Forward Moore Garnering NCAA Offers
Ben Moore, a 6-foot-7 junior forward, is being recruited by several NCAA Division I schools and will be key in the Raiders' success this season.
During the boys basketball team's 50-48 win over Neuqua Valley Wednesday, had a rather amazing sequence of plays.
In the first quarter, Moore easily blocked Neuqua Valley junior center Pat Kenny as he drove to the basket. Kenny rebounded the ball and attempted another shot—an attempt yet again rejected by Moore.
Wildcat junior guard Jabari Sandifer, who rebounded that block, tried scoring again. But again, Moore soared high and handily denied the field goal.
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Moore’s three blocks occurred in a five-second span.
“I was just trying to get after the ball and not let them get a basket,” said Moore, who ended up with four blocks in the game.
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That athletic display is one reason why numerous NCAA Division I schools are pursuing the 6-foot-7 recruit. Moore said he has received offers from IPFW, Minnesota State, Illinois State University, Loyola University and Northern Illinois University.
“He is getting recruited by every Division I school in the state and surrounding states have been in to see him play,” said Bolingbrook head coach Rob Brost, who said he expects Moore to be a cornerstone in the Raiders' success this season. “Loyola was here (Nov. 14). Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville will be here (to watch Thursday's) practice.”
Moore led the Raiders with 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting with four rebounds and an assist. His season-high is 24 points in a game.
“He is very tough,” Kenny said. “He could jump high. He’s long. He has a really great presence in there. You just got to pump fake and try drawing a foul, but it’s tough in there.”
Bolingbrook is also impressed with Moore’s athleticism, especially when he practially flies above everyone else.
“Ben’s a great player,” Nixon said. “He’s very long. He has a lot of rise, too, so when he jumps, the length of his arms and the height of his jump make him very tall. He’s an awesome player who scored 17 points tonight, and we need that every night.”
Moore has a humble demeanor, crediting his teammates with much of his success offensively.
“I want to work on my perimeter shooting, my ball handling skills and perimeter defense,” Moore said. “Defense very important to me. It’s the way you win. You win off defense. You get buckets off defense. Offense comes from defense.”
