Moore Lions Basketball Preview

Moore Lions Basketball Preview

BY:Steve Marshall

The Lions are looking forward to the season with a good number of returning starters and athletic ballplayers.

Coach Gregg Hardin begins his sixth year with Moore and has the Lions coming off a 9-15 record, but feels like his team is ready to take-off and make some noise in 6A this year.

“Overall, we feel like we have a chance to be a really good club that has good leadership,” Hardin said. “The test this year will be the maturation against toptiered teams.”

Senior Forward Dylan McDougal (6’3) averaged 8.5 ppg and five rebounds per game and is a top scorer and team leader for the Lions.

The other returning senior starter is senior guard Justin Martin (6’0) who Hardin calls a good shooter and defender. Junior Guard Marcus Dockins (6’0) is a great defender according to Hardin and can create his own shot off the dribble.

Other notable players include Malachi Lee, Greg Lewis, Lonato Henderson and Rejond Hayes

Sophomore forward Malachi Lee (6’2) is a very talented young gun that knows the game mentally and has the physical skills to be a good player. He can put points on the board and runs the floor well.

Senior guard Greg Lewis (6’0) will lead at the point guard position and provide good defense against opposing teams. Junior center Lonato Henderson (6’4) provides defense and scoring at the post position. Junior guard Rejond Hayes (5’9) is a point guard that can slash and defend well.

Coach Hardin has high expectations for this season but knows it will be a difficult task having success in Class 6A. He thinks his Lions will be up for that task and can’t wait to begin.

The season begins Dec. 1 with a game at rival Westmoore and a home game against their other rival, Southmoore on Dec. 4. They will follow up with tournament action at the Tahlequah Invitational Dec. 10-12. The Lions will also play in the Putnam City Invitational Jan. 7-9 and host the prestigious John Nobles Tournament Jan. 21-23.–19SM

The Moore Lady Lions missed out on a chance to claim a state championship last year due to concerns around the coronavirus which caused the cancellation of all post-season play. However, this may play to their advantage as their hunger for the Gold Ball has doubled this season with a very talented returning cast.

Brent Hodges begins his sixth year as the head coach and has plenty of talent returning to contend led by Texas signee and Oklahoma’s Gatorade Player of the year Aaliyah Moore (6’2, Sr) who averaged 21.7 points and 11.1 rebounds per game and led Moore to a 21-5 record.

Moore is joined in the frontcourt by Central Florida signee Raychael Harjo (6’2, Sr.) who was named to the Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference second team. Harjo also had offers from Tulsa, Missouri State and Texas Arlington, averaging 13.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per contest. Peyton Andrews (5’10, Sr.) tallied 8.5 ppg and 3.5 assists while Bre Huffman (5’10, Jr.) averaged 4.2 ppg, adding five rebounds per game. Both return after being named to the conference honorable mention team last year.

Hodges fully expects another run at the state tourney and the team will rely on their size, shooting and experience to take them deep into post-season play.

The season begins Dec. 1 with a game at rival Westmoore and a home game against their other rival, Southmoore on Dec. 4.

They will follow up with tournament action at the Bixby Invitational Dec. 10-12. The Lions will play in the Putnam City Invitational Jan. 7-9 and host the prestigious John Nobles Tournament Jan. 21- 23.–19SM