Greetings HS hoops junkies from across the hoop tournament watching Piedmont! The Great One is here to talk about his recent visit to the Mooresville Blue Devils as they prepare for the Ring Round game with Southern Durham. The Sadster spoke with senior team captains, Nolan Ericsson and Christian Wilson, and former West Meck player, fellow senior, Chase McDonald. The Captains were asked about their 4 year journey through Coach Armard Moore’s program. They stated that their class, which has 11 total seniors, mostly played varsity as sophomores, so they had 3 years of working hard in the spring and summer, as well as during the season so they expected success this season.
They said that leading up to the West Regional Finals against mighty North Meck, they expected to win. Much of their confidence came from the fact that they had only lost at North Meck by 4 in November after blowing a 10 point lead. People were building that game as the teacher against the former student, with Moore coaching against his former mentor and coach, Duane Lewis. “It wasn’t about the coaches; it was about our kids playing their kids”, stated Coach Moore. “We knew we had a chance to knock them off, although no one gave us a chance, and were able to do it. I’ve got nothing but love for the North Meck program and coaches there that I worked with when I played and coached there”.
The seniors’ thoughts on Southern Durham are very complimentary. They stated that SD is a very talented and athletic group and they have to be on top of their game plan if they’re to bring the banner back to “MoTown”. Senior Chase McDonald suffered through a winless season at West Meck last year but a year later finds himself in the Ring Round. He is still pinching himself over his drastic change in fortune and credits Coach Moore for all the hard work the players put in during the off-season for their success.
This senior class wants to leave a legacy that hard work pays dividends and following classes can build off what they have done, win or lose on Saturday. This team is already a championship team that is now “on the wall” and has made history with the school’s first ever trip to the title game. They have won the conference regular-season and tournament crowns, as well as sectional and regional titles. They would like to add one last piece of hardware to the trophy case this year and complete their story on a winning note. “Win or lose, I’m proud of these kids. Nobody thought we could get this far but us and we did it”, concluded Coach Moore. One thing is certain: when the ball goes up at 7:30 Saturday, this Blue Devil squad will leave it all on the floor……just like they have for 4 years.
SAD SAM – HS HOOPS GENIUS