Malachi Moreno is averaging 21.5 points and 14.8 rebounds per game going into the state tourney and shooting 71.7 percent from the field. (Les Nicholson Photo)
It seems like this has already been a dream season for 7-footer Malachi Moreno of Great Crossing.
He signed with the University of Kentucky, was named a McDonald’s All-American and was picked as Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball. Great Crossing has won 23 straight games and its only in-state loss was to St. Xavier 72-58 on Dec. 14. Two losses came in the City of Palms in Florida and the other one at the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach.
Moreno is averaging 21.5 points and 14.8 rebounds per game. He’s shooting 71.7 percent from the field and 62 percent at the foul line where he’s taken a team-high 191 free throws. He has 611 blocks and 1,896 rebounds in his career and ranks in the KHSAA’s top five on both all-time lists.
Moreno and Great Crossing will take on Third Region champion Daviess County at 6 p.m. Thursday in the state tournament opening round at Rupp Arena.
Great Crossing coach Steve Page says as successful as Moreno’s season has been, one big piece is still missing — a state championship.
“First and foremost he will be the first to tell you it is not a dream season if we are not holding a trophy at Rupp Arena on Saturday,” Page said. “He is proud of the individual accolades but he is one million percent a team guy and is focused on that.
“He could have left Great Crossing and gone to any prep school clamoring for him, but he decided to stay loyal to his buddies.”
That’s been good for Great Crossing but also for Moreno. Page said he’s become a better leader on and off the court.
“He’s always been great around the rim and is third in state history in blocked shots,” the Great Crossing coach said.
Page said he’s also improved his shooting range even though he may not get a chance to prove that this season.
“He does not shoot outside much for us at 7-1 but he will be used in different ways at the next level,” Page said. “He handles the ball really well for a 7-1 kid. He makes really good decisions. He’s averaging just below four assists per game. Those are the main areas I have seen improvement from him.”
Moreno is scheduled to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game April 1 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The plan is for him to fly to New York Sunday morning.
“I fly out Sunday to go watch him play,” Page said. “He will be able to play in the game. They understand this one is his first priority and he will get there as soon as he can.”
Great Crossing lost to eventual state champion Lyon County and UK signee Travis Perry in the state semifinals last year. Page wants to make sure Great Crossing “plays through” Moreno more this week.
“That doesn’t mean he has to score 30 points and shoot 20 shots. Sometimes he passes too much,” Page said.
However, Page won’t take away things Moreno does best by asking him to try to increase his scoring.
“We have got to trust he is making that decision to kick (the ball) out for the betterment of the team and that he does not feel like he has the ball where he wants,” Page said. “It’s hard to tell a kid to be selfish, especially with us when we focus on assists and moving the ball. Our kids know and recognize mismatches but it’s tough to tell a kid to be selfish because he’s got four buddies (playing) with him. “
Ashland coach Ryan Bonner watched Moreno get 26 points on 11-for-12 shooting from the field and 16 rebounds in a 95-89 loss to open the season.
“Very talented player. Exceptional length. Plays the game the right way. Just a winner,” Bonner said on the KHSAA coaches state tournament call Monday. “When I wanted to challenge our guys. Number two, I wanted to provide memories that would last a lifetime. Guys will talk about playing Great Crossing for the rest of their lives. Part of the way we schedule is to create lifetime memories.”
Page wants his team to create a lifetime memory this week. Seventh Region champion St. Xavier goes into the tourney as the team to beat with Great Crossing No. 2.
Great Crossing has been tested recently despite its 23-game win streak that includes a two-point win over Male and three-point win over South Laurel. In the 11th Region semifinals, Great Crossing beat Bryan Station 59-56 and in the title game won 59-57n over Frederick Douglass.
“We are a sixth-year program and until this year had multiple goals,” Page said. “This year the one goal is to win the Sweet Sixteen.”
2 Responses
I think great crossing wins the state championship. If Perry wouldn’t have been on fire last year against them they would have won it all last year. I think he completely dominates the sweet 16 and earns MVP honors to go along with a state championship. He’s a winner and winners don’t take losing very well so I know he has a chip on his shoulder from last year. I wish Jasper Johnson would have played for Woodford county again this year that would have made the sweet 16 with him on the team. It would have been fun to watch the two teams go head to head. Like Perry and Noah did. I’m excited for Kentucky basketball to have 4 guys in the rotation from the state of Kentucky and the following year Kinney could be in the fold to make it 5 Kentucky boys. Next years team will remind me of the Pitino teams in the early 90s the only difference will be this team will be much more athletic!
Great Crossing could meet my old HS (St Xavier) at what level of the state tournament?