Lower’s George Moore Emerges in Senior Season

The formula for achievement may seem complicated but it’s really not.
A personality receptive to constructive criticism, a body blessed for athletics, a brain trained in mathematics and an eager work ethic are the ingredients of success.
If you believe in that combination then you’ll understand the emergence of George Moore as a young man and an athlete.
The Lower Cape May senior carries 230 pounds on his 6-foot, 5-inch frame. He didn’t pick up a weight until he became a Caper-Tiger and didn’t initially understand the commitment and maturity competitive sports requires.
These days the Erma resident is wrapping up his sixth varsity letter season with three each in basketball and baseball. He’s become an impressive hurler for the Caper nine and an accomplished “big man” for the successful Lower hoops squads of the last few years.
The only child of Teresa and Terrance Moore, George, like many Lower Township youngsters, spent many days at the recreation center in The Villas. He came up through youth leagues where volunteer coaches such as Marcus Harmon and Dave Herman worked to improve his fundamentals in basketball and baseball, respectively.
“Marcus Harmon helped me out so much,” said Moore. “The same group of kids stayed together on Mr. Harmon’s rec league team and we learned a lot from him. He helped me develop the right mentality that would I need to play the game.”
Moore said the same about his little league experience with Herman. “He was the best baseball coach,” noted the 18-year-old. “He was patient and preached fundamentals. He didn’t try to do too much. He was mild mannered and made sure we didn’t disrespect the game.”
With his size it’s natural to wonder why football is not on his athletic resume. “I tried football for two years in junior high,” he said. “I liked it but I took baseball more seriously.”
While he was always a front court player on the basketball floor, Moore spent time catching in his early years of baseball before moving to first base and finally to the mound.
“Pitching started in little league but I never really worked to become a good pitcher,” he said. “I’d pitch here, pitch there, but nothing steady. I really liked catching.”
As a high school baseball player, Moore has emerged as a power hurler and hitter for the Caper-Tigers. He’s most proud of his two-homer and two-run double output versus St. Joseph’s last season.
“A lot of kids don’t really get enough reps to make themselves better,” said Randy Sturm, one of Moore’s summer baseball coaches. “I told him three years ago that if he put his time in on the mound he’d develop into a Division I pitcher. At 6-5 and 230 pounds, a Division III program is getting a gift when they get him. If he continues to put the work in with a good pitching coach he’ll be very successful.”
In basketball Moore developed as a solid front line presence who garnered key rebounds and put-back baskets to assist Lower’s strong perimeter attack.
“George really grew as a person between his junior and senior year,” said Caper basketball coach Scott Holden. “He took things much more seriously; he slimmed down and really became a young man instead of a high school boy. And because of all that, his game improved as well. He became much more of a team leader as well.”
Holden’s brother, former Caper coach Pat Holden, got Moore started on weight training when he arrived as a freshman. Basketball teammate Vance Matthews’s father, Mike, worked with Moore. “Mr. Matthews worked with us on balance drills and finishing around the net,” said Moore. “I lost a lot of weight and picked up some quickness.”
As for emerging as a serious pitcher, Moore said that entering his senior year he “knew we needed another arm.” He had gained a lot of confidence working in the past two summers with Southern Cape coach Rich Hans.
“Oh my God,” Moore exclaimed. “We worked so hard in the summer. We played a lot of games against high-level competition and saw some great pitching. It’s all about putting in the time.”
Moore excels in mathematics but his recent experience at the Cape May County Police Academy has led him to pursue a criminal justice major at North Carolina’s Wesleyan College. The Battling Bishop coach has promised Moore a shot at pitching for the Division III school.
“I went to a college fair and their representative was also the assistant baseball coach and we got to talking,” said Moore, who carries a 3.8 grade point average. “My parents have always said grades first. I’ll do as much as I can with baseball. As for going to college, I’m just excited for the experience.”
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.net