Moore earns WAW Player of the Year, Ford takes coach honors

After averaging 17.1 points and 10 rebounds per game during his senior season, Josh Moore is the West Alabama Watchman Player of the Year.
After averaging 17.1 points and 10 rebounds per game during his senior season, Josh Moore is the West Alabama Watchman Player of the Year.

When he was in the seventh grade at John Essex, it was apparent Josh Moore was going to pretty good. Broad shouldered and tall for his age, Moore suited up for the Hornets’ varsity team all the way back in junior high and played major minutes along the way.

So when he transferred to Demopolis following the Essex closure after his sophomore year, the Tigers were inheriting what amounted to a four-year starter. Moore wasted little time finding his way for the Tigers as a junior. But when Ashley Allen took over the team this season, there was no question who the focal point of the offense would be.

Now a 6-5 senior, Moore led a roster that included minimal varsity experience. Despite often drawing double and – occasionally – triple teams, Moore averaged 17.1 points and 10.0 rebounds a game as a senior. He battled through injury and frustration and even managed to expand his game along the way by showing an ability to step outside and drain a jumper from deep.

Moore will look to expand his game further over the next two seasons as he suits up for Southern Union. If his work ethic continues as it has over the last few years, there’s a strong chance he will be playing elsewhere beyond that.

For now, Moore is the 2016 West Alabama Watchman Boys Basketball Player of the Year, an accolade that goes nicely alongside his Third Team nod on the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 5A All-State Team.

A.L. Johnson coach Johnney Ford is the West Alabama Watchman Coach of the Year. He headlines a group of Eagles that includes four players on the WAW All-County Team.
A.L. Johnson coach Johnney Ford is the West Alabama Watchman Coach of the Year. He headlines a group of Eagles that includes four players on the WAW All-County Team.

As for the Coach of the Year award, The Watchman gives the nod to A.L. Johnson’s Johnney Ford for the second straight season. Ford brought his team from off the map in 2014-2015 to take the Eagles to the state semifinals and earned WAW Coach of the Year honors for his efforts. As an encore, Ford helmed his squad to the finals of the South Regional Tournament despite having lost seven seniors from a season ago.

Ford is 25-13 in two seasons at A.L. Johnson with a pair of significant playoff runs to his credit.

West Alabama Watchman Boys Basketball All-County Team

First Team

Josh Moore, Sr. – Demopolis

Desmond Mair, Sr. – A.L. Johnson

Dequan Charleston, Jr. – Linden

Shermon Kennedy, Sr. – A.L. Johnson

Cordarius Pritchett, Jr. – Marengo

Second Team

Leo Baker, Jr. – A.L. Johnson

Ladarius Adams, Sr. – Demopolis

Michael Kennedy, So. – Marengo

Lewis Anderson, Sr. – A.L. Johnson

Taylor Herelle, So. – A.L. Johnson