November 29, 2015
The emergence of Delaney Moore
Coming off an 19-7 overall record plus 8-4 and a third place ranking in the Monterey Bay - Gabilan League, Monte Vista Christian High in Watsonville is looking to finish on top this season. A major reason for this sunny outlook is 2017 6-footer Delaney Moore. But ask her and she'll quickly note two teammates as critical components as a basis for the optimism. That's just who she is.
Crediting Mustang seniors Donatella Macleod and Avery Keathley, Moore is a critical element herself because, as a sophomore, she averaged 11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.8 shotblocks per game, second, third, third and first on the Monte Vista squad respectively.
How did those statistics come about? “I can finish well with both hands and I run the court really well.” Expect her to display even greater skills progress in 2015-16 considering she posted 4.4, 3.9, 1.4 and .8 numbers respectively in her initial high school season.
Additionally, here's West Valley Basketball Club (WVBC) Coach Bob Bramlett on Moore's values: “Delaney's deference to her teammates is a reflection of her parents, her [Monte Vista] coach Jennifer Keathley, who preaches a team first philosophy, and her own core. She is a selfless player, a consummate teammate.”
It was soccer and basketball participation for Moore in junior high. “But I had to choose going into my freshman year and basketball came more naturally. My Dad plays basketball and he helped me work on how to shoot and on layups. He shaped my fundamentals. We also talk through any basketball problems I was having.”
From her freshman year to the present, Moore sees her a progression. “I'm definitely better defensively and a better shooter. I see the court much more and am in a lot better shape.”
She is also taking charge on the court, both at Monte Vista and during the spring and summer with the WVBC. “I'm going to be the one who puts them [her teammates] into right position. There's more teaching in high school because of so many different skill levels.” She enthusiastically credits “the West Valley program and culture” as beneficial to her advancement.
Asked to name a best basketball moment for her, Moore displayed her true colors by not offering any personal highlight but rather a team effort. “It was this summer [up in Oregon] against the Northwest Blazers. We were definitely underdogs but in the last minutes they were giving up. We showed them we can play.”
“Her performance against the Northwest Blazers (the Oregon game she referred to), along with Nikiya Bechtle and Haley Jones, was a key reason we won,” Bramlett explained. “There were dozens of D1 schools at the game. She also posted a huge game against perennial power Arizona Elite, who we defeated as well.”
Carrying a 4.3 weighted grade point average, she wants to major “In something mathematical in science and engineering.” About recruiting, “I would like to stay on the west coast but I'm not limiting myself.” Her decision will be based on an academic fit and a basketball fit. She has heard from schools in the West Coast Conference, Patriot League and Big West Conference.
“I'll probably be a three or a four but I want to be a better ballhandler so I'm working on my guard skills.”
Monte Vista opens up with Carmel High at home on December. According to Moore, “We should do great this year with a strong and good group of girls. We want to be a force to be reckoned with.”