The award-winning Shaker Heights High School student news organization

The Shakerite

The award-winning Shaker Heights High School student news organization

The Shakerite

The award-winning Shaker Heights High School student news organization

The Shakerite

Moran, Griffin, Hurley Bring Diverse Assets to Raider Basketball

Emily Moran

Singapore is 9,482.7 miles away and 13 hours ahead of Shaker Heights.

That’s a long way to travel to play basketball.

Senior Emily Moran, 6’1’’ and 160 pounds, is a captain of the women’s varsity basketball team this year. She moved back to Shaker from Singapore just before the school year began.

Moran said that her transition to living in Singapore last year was difficult, but coming back was easy and everyone accepted her. Moran went to Singapore American School, where she averaged double figures in points and rebounds.

Women’s varsity basketball coach Randy Thomas said that Moran is adapting well and settling in after her move. 

Moran’s greatest challenge is not related to the move, however. Too much time on the court brought on back spasms and a sprained ankle, but the problems have subsided with the help of physical therapy and rest. Thomas said Moran’s return to the court “says a lot about her character and dedication to her team.”

Moran plays power forward as well as post. She said her strengths are defense and free throw shooting. “My ability to communicate with the team . . . helps us to keep a tight defense,” Moran said.

Thomas said Moran’s teammates voted her a team captain because of her skills and leadership. Moran has never captained a team before. “I was nervous but very excited to lead my team to our goals for the season,” she said.

Moran’s biggest goal this year is to strengthen her weaknesses. Moran said she needs to improve her total body strength, dribbling and shooting from 15 feet out to the three-point line.

Moran hopes to play college basketball on a scholarship, however Thomas said, “Since she’s new not a lot of colleges are aware of her, and it’s going to be a process to get into this year.”

 Keith Griffin

Keith Griffin is 5’10”, 180 pounds and has captured the interest of at least eight Division I colleges.  

And he’s only a freshman.

With the men’s basketball team facing the stark reality of Terry Rozier’s graduation, Griffin, who starts at varsity point guard, hopes to ease the transition.

According to men’s varsity coach Danny Young, Griffin is “tough as nails, like a little bulldog.” He said Griffin is a great defender, gets everyone involved, can finish a shot after contact and hit the three.

Griffin, who has played basketball since sixth grade, said he needs to improve at “being a real vocal leader.”

Plain Dealer high school basketball reporter Tim Rogers said Griffin is one of the top three freshmen in the area and “one of the best freshmen in Ohio.”

Young said Griffin has earned Rozier’s approval; Rozier, a Louisville recruit and second-team all-Ohio pick last year, told Young that if Griffin works hard and stays humble, he’ll be in good shape to outperform even him.

“He has the gifts to do it,” Young said. “He has a chance to be special.”

 Rosel Hurley

Junior Rosel Hurley is entering his junior season with 11 NCAA Division I scholarship offers, and he anticipates another successful run for the Raiders.

Hurley hopes to improve on his last year’s scoring and rebounding averages (10 ppg and 2 rpg) using his 6’5”, 165-pound frame to do so.

Head coach Danny Young described Hurley as “long and athletic, and hard to stop in the open court.” Young believes Hurley is vital to the Raiders’ success.

Hurley strives to exceed his coach’s expectations. “I want to become more versatile and able to run point guard as well as work down on the block.”

Plain Dealer reporter Tim Rogers expects Hurley’s numbers to increase greatly this season. He believes Hurley is “one of the best juniors around.”

Hurley has received offers from Cleveland State, Akron, Dayton, among others. Dayton’s style of play especially appeals to Hurley, but he doesn’t want to get ahead of himself.

Despite all of the attention, Hurley remains humble trying to focus on the upcoming season. “I’m not going to jump into anything until next year,” he said. “It’s a blessing, but I know I have to stay focused.”

A version of these articles appeared in print 13 December 2012 on page 14 of The Shakerite

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