Discover the incredible journey of Webster’s Wonder, an inspirational athlete who defied the odds and achieved success through hard work and determination.
Karl Moore, Jr. is a Force for His School’s Basketball Program
Short in Stature, Karl Moore is a Force for His School’s Basketball Program
Karl Moore Jr. would like to host his own block party. That’s block party as in ‘blocking shots’ on the basketball court as a Webster University Gorlocks great. He’s also quite the bumper and grinder, as in standing his ground on the floor to get rebounds and put back points.
Joining a long list of former Jennings High basketball greats-from Nick Benson, Darren Brooks, Aaron Cook, Demario Shanklin, Kelly Thames and Sanijay Watts, the Warriors program have had some ‘warriors’ on the court, but inch-for-inch Moore may not take a huge back seat to any of them. At a mere 6-foot-4, Moore is ‘powering’ the power forward position like few his height. After all, it’s tall man’s position, such as 6-7 and upwards.
But be that as it may, Moore averaged 8.5 rebounds per game to go along with nearly 10 points per contest and blocked 138 shots. In a 69-60 playoff-elimination loss, he had 15 points and 14 rebounds. He also had his usual three blocked shots, bringing his career totals to 218, which puts him first place all-time at the school with a full season left. For his efforts, he was awarded the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year.
“He doesn’t say much,” said Webster coach Chris Bunch. “He leads more by example. But he’s a great teammate and a great young person.”
So how is Moore, able to defy conventional wisdom by outhustling the seemingly superior foes?“It’s my strength and my ability to jump,” he said. “I was measured with a 38-inch vertical jump a couple of years ago. But I’ve always been able to compete against bigger players.”
his knack for blocking shots with timing, finesse and instincts. Whatever the attributes are, Moore has been the Big Man on Campus with the small forward size.
“He’s had some of his better games against much bigger opponents, 6-8, 6-9,” raved Bunch. “He seems to really get up for those games. If he were a little taller, playing the same way he is now, there’s no telling how much better he would be.”
At Jennings, Moore was a two-sport star. Now he’s merely a multi-threat force on the basketball court.
“I could have gone to college to play football,” he relayed. “I had that option.”
Now as strictly a basketball, his next options will be at what pro level he can matriculate to, given his lack of height. The elite NBA may not be an option, but pro basketball, somewhere definitely is.
“I’d rather go overseas to play my same position,” he said. “I know I am able to drive to the hole and play power forward. But I know I have to work on passing the ball a little better. I know I have a good mid-range shot and I have to work on my corner shot. But I’m able to put in the hard work.”
Survey says, that hard work is always paying immense dividends on the small-college level. He’s a ‘short forward’ with tall results-and records. It’s his block party and he’ll play by his style.
Moore also attributes his knack for blocking shots with timing, finesse and instincts. Whatever the attributes are, Moore has been the Big Man on Campus with the small forward size.
“He’s had some of his better games against much bigger opponents, 6-8, 6-9,” raved Bunch. “He seems to really get up for those games. If he were a little taller, playing the same way he is now, there’s no telling how much better he would be.”
At Jennings, Moore was a two-sport star. Now he’s merely a multi-threat force on the basketball court.
“I could have gone to college to play football,” he relayed. “I had that option.”
Now as strictly a basketball, his next options will be at what pro level he can matriculate to, given his lack of height. The elite NBA may not be an option, but pro basketball, somewhere definitely is.
“I’d rather go overseas to play my same position,” he said. “I know I am able to drive to the hole and play power forward. But I know I have to work on passing the ball a little better. I know I have a good mid-range shot and I have to work on my corner shot. But I’m able to put in the hard work.”
Survey says, that hard work is always paying immense dividends on the small-college level. He’s a ‘short forward’ with tall results-and records. It’s his block party and he’ll play by his style.
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