PLYMOUTH — As the sixth man on a Plymouth team that went all the way to the state title game last year, Adrian Moore showed flashes of what the future held in store. This year, those flashes turned into an extended bright spot for the Vikings as the junior SF/SG led the team with 17 points and five steals per game, while tallying a second-best four assists and four rebounds a night.
The versatile and athletic Moore not only brought great statistical contributions to the table, but his energy, leadership and passion for the game was a key ingredient in the Vikings’ 25-1 season and their Four Rivers Conference regular season and tournament championships.
It’s that combination of talent and desire that allowed him edge past a slew of worthy candidates to become this year’s Washington Daily News Player of the Year.
“Adrian brings a lot to this team. He’s a leader,” Plymouth coach Marvin Davenport said. “He’s not selfish. He plays team ball and he just hustles all over the floor on offense and defense.”
With his 6’2” height, long arms and dead-on jumper, Moore’s style evokes thoughts of a high school version of Tayshaun Prince. However, with his unselfish nature and quick hands, Moore is more than just a spot shooter.
“On offense he’s just constantly moving,” Davenport said. “If there’s an opportunity to go to the basket than that’s what he’s going to do. … He just brings so much to the floor.”
Moore was the perfect sixth man last year as his instant-offense style and burst of energy made him a natural off of the bench. It was a role that the budding star was willing to play again at the start of this season.
“I told coach if you want to start me, start me. If you don’t, then don’t. I don’t need to start,” Moore said. “Whatever my coach says to do I try my best to do.”
The offer to come off the bench was a nice gesture, but Davenport needed Moore in the lineup.
“That just let me know that it’s not all about him. He just wants to be a part of the program and play,” Davenport said. “But, I told him you have to start. We need your energy on the floor and you have proven yourself. He’s put a lot of time into this game and it’s paid off.”
The constant work on his jumper has also paid off as Moore has emerged as the area’s premier sniper.
“A lot of people don’t expect him to shoot the ball from the area that he does but he has that range,” Davenport said. “Adrian can take you down low as well as shoot it from the outside. He just takes what the defense gives him.”
Aside from his extended minutes, Moore also had to adjust to an increased leadership role and it was a smooth transition in both cases.
Playing on a team packed with veteran stars, Moore excelled in the supporting cast role when it came to being a team leader, but knows that next year the burden of the job will fall squarely on his shoulders.
“It’s going to be a little bit challenging. I’ve always been the little brother of the team,” Moore said. “But now I’m the big brother and I have to act like the big brother of the team and will have to push the little brothers on the team to play harder.”