Gratz’ Moye helps lift Black team in Pub All-Star Classic

IN A Public League with way too many teams and nowhere near enough height, Andrew Moye spent his senior season almost nailed to the blocks.

"It was frustrating at times," he said. "But I dealt with it. I just wanted to help my team win."

Moye's team was Simon Gratz, his dimensions were 6-2, 220 pounds, and you'll likely need a couple of opportunities to guess what position he wants to play in college.

"I'm working on being a point guard, actually," he said, smiling.

Moye, his body soaked in sweat, spoke Monday night at Southern High after the feature attraction in the 36th annual Public League Coaches' All-Star Classic Tripleheader.

White bested Black, 122-119, in a swooshathon, and Moye's contributions included 20 points and a team-high seven rebounds, along with one apiece in the assists, steals and blocks categories.

In the first half, after watching several amazing dribbling/defending duels, mostly featuring White's Keith Washington (Frankford) and Black's Warren Dogan (Math, Civics & Sciences Charter), Moye got involved in one of his own.

He finished it with a sashay down the left side of the lane, and a lefthanded layup (he's a righty) delivered while drawing a foul. As he walked back to the foul line, he uncorked one of the all-time struts.

"Just doing what I had to do," he cracked. "Though we still wanted to win, of course, this game was about fun.

"I'm a funny guy. I like messing around. So I wanted to get in on that [showboating], too. The fans were lovin' it."

It had been a while. Though Gratz finished unbeaten in Division A play and hoped to craft a deep run through the PL and/or state playoffs, it was bumped off on Feb. 14 by John Bartram High, 61-60, in overtime.

"Our season was up and down," said Moye, who lives near 11th and Ontario. "I mean, we always played hard, but we wound up falling short.

"That was disappointing. I was thinking about it a lot. Took a long time to get it off my mind. I finally calmed down and started to realize, I've got to get ready for college. Time for the big stage.

"Since then, I've been playing in the gym after school, and in leagues, and just working to improve my game. Oh, and lifting weights. When you come into a game like this, it's rough, because you need to get your wind back. I can't really say I've just been flat-out running a lot."

Moye shot 9-for-12 from the floor and nailed his first seven shots.

"There wasn't a lot of defense going around," he kidded.

He added: "This game was the kind I like because I got to play away from the basket and run up and down. As frustrating as my [Gratz role was], I approached it by playing an inside-out game, and I got better at it as the season went on. Now I'm ready for the next part."

You could ask a thousand basketball players - heck, maybe a million - what qualities they could add to a college program and never hear this word.

Sportsmanship.

It was uttered by Michael Stewart, a 5-11, 155-pound combo guard at Parkway West, which is housed in the old Sulzberger Junior High in West Philly, and this season courted its own team (having broken away from what is now Parkway Northwest, in Mount Airy).

"I feel it's important to be a good sportsman, because that's how you earn other people's trust and respect," Stewart said. "You have to show people you're a good person."

Stewart, who owns a 3.2 GPA and lives in Wynnefield, is also a good player, and he showed that in the second of the two preliminaries, totaling 15 points and four rebounds as West Philly beat North Philly, 78-66.

Stewart, a lefty, shot 5-for-7 from the floor (two treys) and 3-for-6 at the line.

"I looked forward to playing against everybody I'd played against this season," he said. "Plus, this game was a little less coached. Everybody just free-lances and the atmosphere's more relaxed. Guys aren't in your face the whole time. You get to show your skills a little more."

He's trying other ways, too. With help from others, Stewart has sent out highlight tapes to several schools and is awaiting responses.

"I'm a little worried about that," he said. "I definitely want to be in college next year, and playing on the team. I can add energy and leadership [in addition to sportsmanship]."

A year ago, Stewart had to travel to Mount Airy for practices and home games.

"That was rough," he said. "I was really happy when I found out we were going to have our own team this year." *