Nansemond River guard's ethic, drive open doors

SUFFOLK

Ashton Moore played sparingly as a sophomore on the Nansemond River boys basketball team, and his efforts didn't win rave reviews.

"Sometimes I thought, 'Maybe we should put him back on JV,' " Nansemond River coach Ed Young said.

Moore stayed on the varsity during that 2008-09 season, though, noting the work more experienced players put in to succeed. Then he replicated those efforts in the offseason, taking roughly 150 shots a day in addition to running sprints and lifting weights.

That work paid dividends last season, when Moore averaged 17.5 points per game and made second-team all-Southeastern District.

Buoyed by that success, Moore stepped up his efforts this offseason, averaging 300 shots a day and hitting the weight room harder - his bench press increased from 175 pounds to 205.

Once again, the work is paying off. Moore is averaging 22.8 points and is a major reason the top-ranked Warriors entered this week 10-0.

"He's a self-made player," Young said. "He wasn't born good."

In addition to being what Young described as a "gym rat," Moore has improved by studying the game.

He's developed his hesitation crossover dribble by watching North Carolina State freshman Ryan Harrow.

Moore also likes watching Connecticut junior Kemba Walker. Like Moore, Walker didn't stand out as an underclassman, but this season leads Division I in scoring.

"I was definitely not as aggressive last season," Moore said. "But you can see the fierceness in his eyes. He just wants it. I picked up that."

At 6-foot, Moore would be considered slightly undersized as a guard at the next level. Still, he is drawing interest from several Division I schools, including Liberty and UNC Greensboro.

Moore recognizes the disadvantages his height will present in college, so he's already working to overcome those hurdles by developing his shot off the dribble and a quicker release.

"At the college level I know everybody's a lot faster and stronger," he said. "So I need to push myself harder."

Young has seen Moore pushing himself since he was on the JV as an eighth grader.

For that reason, the coach thinks he can earn success in a college program.

"He doesn't wow you with his speed and his strength," Young said. "But he finds a way to win games. That's what I like about him, his competitiveness."