As we lead into the 2018 EHS Alumni Tournament (12/29, 6pm @ EHS), we get to feature one of the most dynamic two-way players to ever put on the Blue & Gold: the Class of 2003’s Adam Moore.
Adam was the prototype for what you’d create if you were going to the lab to build a standout high school basketball player. At a wiry 6’7”, Adam was an explosive two-way player that dominated the paint defensively with his length and athleticism, and was a prolific shooter and scorer at the offensive end. He was a two-time All-Wesco first team performer, and was the league MVP his senior season, averaging 22 points per game while shooting over 60% from the field.
As the anchor of a strong group that was a preseason top-5 team in the state his senior season, Adam helped lead his team through a severe string of injuries that saw multiple players miss significant time. His fiery play and ferocity attacking the hoop were staples in The Pit from 2001-03, as his rim-rattling dunks often brought the house down. He went on to play 4 years of college ball, highlighted by his play at both Seattle University and Warner Pacific University.
While his play his junior and senior seasons was exceptional, one of my favorite all-time EHS basketball stories comes from when Adam tried out for basketball his freshman season.
At the time, I was a volunteer assistant coach for the varsity team, and I was peripherally involved with the tryouts at all three levels (Varsity, JV, C-team). The freshman class was very strong, with around 12 kids that were program locks and around 2-3 kids that were fringe and weren’t quite there yet. After the first day of tryouts, the C-Team coach basically had his team picked, but didn’t know if he wanted to keep a couple of kids on the back end of that roster.
Before the second day of tryouts, the coaches all caught wind of a story about how one of these kids that we were on the fence about. We learned that this kid had given his money he’d saved for sneakers to a teammate that was also trying out. The family of the kid who was the beneficiary had been in a costly car accident, and they had to use all their resources to deal with this accident, meaning the kid wasn’t going to be able to get basketball shoes. The kid that gave up his sneaker money was a scrawny 5’9” wing player named Adam Moore. The coaches thought this was a true act of kindness and what our culture was about, so they decided to keep Adam as player #14 on the C-team. In all likelihood, if Adam hadn’t done this and hadn’t demonstrated his love for his teammates, I’m fairly certain the coaches would have cut a future all-state caliber player his freshman season.
Adam took that opportunity, grew his game and physically matured, and because one of the most dominant players in Seagull program history. It’s without question my favorite story to tell the Everett AAU kids!
We caught up with Adam this week, and he was happy to discuss he’s time at EHS. He highlighted his love for his crew, the enjoyment he took in playing with his PG Brad Allison, and what Seagull Basketball meant to him.
EHS Alumni Basketball – What years did you participate in the Seagull basketball program?
Adam Moore -1999-2003
EHS AB – Before you were in high school, what events led to you knowing you wanted to play ball at Everett?
AM – Playing at Evergreen Middle School. I had the choice to go to Cascade High School or Everett High School. All my friends went to Everett High. Everett High is the School of Champions!
EHS AB – Tell us a little bit about the group of guys you grew up playing with.
AM –The group of guys I grew up playing with were a bunch of hard-nosed, tough players. We came up before the Facebook era so our after school festivities included trips to the YMCA or to Pat Mattson’s house where we would hoop (fight) for hours on end.
EHS AB – What are some of your most unforgettable moments you recall from your playing days?
AM –I just miss the Pit and the incredible atmosphere in there. Junior year playing against Jon Brockman at Snohomish was a good memory, amongst many.
EHS AB – What was the best team you were a part of during your time at Everett High?
AM - My junior year and senior year we had really good teams. Some injuries to key players derailed our senior year title hopes. Junior year was our better team.
EHS AB – What opposing team do you recall having extraordinary battles with? How did you guys fare in those battles?
AM –We had many battles with Mountlake Terrace and Mariner. Although we didn’t have much team success against Terrace, I was able to play well against them each time. Mariner was a tough team from South Everett that always caused problems. We hadn’t beat them until the last game of senior year when we held a 28-5 lead after the first quarter and won the game. 4A Wesco South was a tough conference.
EHS AB – Who was the best player you recall going toe-to-toe with?
AM –In high school, Jon Brockman was the toughest matchup toe to toe. Although we only played once in the playoffs. Wesco South had players in my era along the lines of Chris Keller, Drew Matzen, Craig Chambers, Luke Hammond, Ryan Webb, etc.
EHS AB – Who was the teammate you enjoyed playing with the most? How did that individual bring the best out of everyone else?
AM –Brad Allison and I had a real connection on the floor. Brad was always the pick to my roll. A cerebral player who knew how to get me the ball in my sweet spot. Brad made everyone a better player with his unselfish demeanor and high basketball IQ.
EHS AB – Can you recall the most memorable game you played in as a Seagull? What makes that game stand out?
AM –There are many games that stand out during my high school career. The one standing out most is my junior year at Jackson going 14/16 from the field. That was a breaking out game for me and propelled us forward to finish the year strong and make the playoffs. We started 5 juniors this year.
EHS AB – Looking back on your experience, what traits were you able to take with you to help forge the person you’ve become?
AM –Looking back, Seagull basketball helped shape me into the man I am today. Being an athlete at “The School of Champions” is a big deal. From being held accountable, learning from great leaders and coaches and building lifelong relationships with my teammates. I graduated 15 years ago and my teammates are still some of my best friends to this day.
EHS AB – If you could give the current group of Seagull basketball players any advice, what would you tell them?
AM –It sounds cliché, but enjoy every second. I’m sure all of us old heads say the same thing. It’s true guys, enjoy the practices, enjoy the film studies, enjoy getting together, enjoy the relationships and the battles, enjoy the hard word. Don’t take shortcuts. It all goes in the blink of an eye. ENJOY THE JOUNREY AND GO GULLS!!
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