MOORE — No team had a worse record than the Moore girls basketball team last year. With a 1-23 record, it had almost as many losses as Southmoore and Westmoore combined.
Despite that, coach Tim Gray and the Lions entering the 2012-13 with positive outlook. Not to win state titles or lead the state in scoring. The Lions are just looking to get better each and every day.
“We choose to look at the positive,” Gray said. “We have no where to go but up. We come to the gym every day and practice just like everyone else. No days off. We have a great group of kids here who understand that total effort is the only way to attack a game, the results will speak for themselves. We can only take care of what we do.”
Gray knows the difficulties that his team faces in trying to just be competitive in class 6A, which is filled with talented teams and players. That is why since he came to MHS he has been trying to get his players to work on their game throughout the year.
“We really have worked hard trying to get kids involved outside of school playing basketball,” Gray said. “The three high school coaches have worked together doing little league basketball in the spring, as well as doing junior high summer leagues together to make Moore stronger. We worked hard in trying to find AAU coaches to work with the girls that could afford to play. We have to get the commitment going in order to change the mentality. It’s not a quick process. It takes time, and we are doing what we feel will make Moore basketball stronger in the long run.”
Because of this effort, Gray has seen positive results in other areas besides the win column.
“Our numbers have increased again this year, as far as participation and we have added a sophomore schedule again this year to get more games for those younger players,” Gray said. “Hopefully, that experience will pay off.”
Regardless of what Moore’s record was last season, it was going to have to go through a rebuilding process. Junior Amanda Patterson was the team’s lone returning starter when they tipped off in the season opener against Edmond Memorial.
“We expect Amanda, as well as Bre Jones, to have break out seasons,” Gray said. “They have put in the time, now they must mentally prepare for every night in 6A basketball. If they show up with their “A” game, then we have numerous role players who do their jobs very effectively. We should compete.”
Moore will take the court again Friday when it hosts Del City before going to Norman Tuesday. That’s a rigorous schedule to open the season.
“We will not be big, we should be a little better at the guard position,” Gray said. “We will try to execute and cut down on our own mistakes, play our game. Take care of the things we can, and don’t worry about the things we can’t control. I believe that those closest to Moore Lady Lions basketball will understand what we are trying to accomplish. We as a team/program understand it, and really that’s all that matters.”
