Moore driven to do more

Athlete of the Year: Darien Moore, Catholic Central

Pick any element to the game of basketball and Darien Moore is an upper-echelon performer in multiple aspects. Most freshmen are dreaming about playing on the varsity. Moore’s freshman season, his second at the varsity level, proved to be a tour de force for the 6-foot-3 standout.

One year removed from reaching the Section II Class B final, the Crusaders captured the program’s first sectional championship since the Class A crown in 1981 and advanced to the state championship game. Leading that charge was Moore, the Colonial Council’s Most Valuable Player.

Asked what made Moore’s second varsity season so sensational, CCHS coach Guy Di-Bacco said, “Consistency. His numbers are consistent.”

“I definitely improved a lot with being more mature, working hard and adding things to my game,” Moore said.

Moore, a two-time Times Union first-team selection, paced the Crusaders with averages of 23.2 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.4 steals per game. He finished second on the team with 3.4 assists per game. The freshman registered 14 consecutive games scoring 20 points or more, highlighted by a season-high 37 points in 77-69 victory against Lansingburgh, and reached double digits in all 27 games for the Crusaders.

“He did it within the framework of the team,” DiBacco said. “He had a sense and feel for what we needed. The other thing is we asked a guy that is not very demonstrative to lead teammates. He found his voice.”

CCHS dropped a 66-61 decision against Westhill in the Class B state final, a contest in which Moore led all scorers with 29 points. During a timeout in the fourth quarter of that game, teammates were talking about offense. Moore pointed out that a comeback would be fueled by better defense, and the Crusaders cut a double-digit deficit down to two points in the final minute.

“I do what is needed to make our team win,” said Moore, who converted 65 percent of his two-point attempts. “I try my best to do everything and be a floor general.”

Moore wants another shot at the state playoffs in 2024. Before that, he looks to enhance his skills during the offseason.

“I am going to work all summer to get better,” said Moore, who is competing on the AAU circuit with the Albany City Rocks. “I am looking forward to performing in front of Division I coaches and having fun with my teammates.”

First team

A Kellen Driscoll, So., F, Glens Falls: Selected to the Foothills Council’s first team, Driscoll showed why he is one of the area’s premier small-school players during the Indians’ run to the Section II Class B final. The sophomore pumped in 26 points in a 69-67 win against Tamarac in the semifinals and tallied 22 points in a 73-59 loss against Catholic Central in the final. Driscoll averaged 17.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists.

A Darien Moore, Fr., F/G, CCHS: Moore has played two varsity seasons and earned his second Times Union first-team selection after leading the Crusaders to the Class B state final. The versatile freshman, who was named the Colonial Council’s Most Valuable Player, averaged 23.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.4 steals per game.

A Joey Poulin, Sr., G, Tamarac: Named as the Wasaren League’s Most Valuable Player, Poulin added more scoring to his arsenal in addition to serving as the Bengals’ point guard. The senior averaged 25.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.6 steals per game while shooting 52 percent from the field. Tamarac captured the league and tournament titles and advanced to the Class B sectional semifinals.

A Sei’Mir Roberson, Fr., G, CCHS: The point guard struck the proper balance between being a scorer and setting up his teammates. Adept at getting to the rim and finishing with either hand, Roberson also tied for 10th in Section II with 51 3-pointers. Named as a Colonial Council first-team selection, Roberson averaged 15.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists for the Section II Class B champions.

A Luke Sherman, Jr., G, Schuylerville: The standout football player showed he can get things done on the hardwood as Sherman landed a Foothills Council first-team selection. The junior averaged 22.3 points per game (seventh in Section II), including netting 20 points or more 10 times and eclipsing the 30-point plateau three occasions — highlighted by a 35-point outing against Hadley-Luzerne.

Coach of the Year

A Guy DiBacco, CCHS: The Crusaders, featuring a starting lineup of two seniors and three freshmen, captured the program’s first sectional title in 42 years and went on to reach the Class B state final. DiBacco’s steady hand in guiding the team proved vital to the Crusaders’ success in winning the Colonial Council title and finishing 25-2 overall.

Second team

A Isaiah Eckler, Sr., G, Hoosic Valley

A Jaxon Mueller, Jr., C, Stillwater

A Jake Sparks, Sr., F, Hoosick Falls

A Alex Schmidt, Sr., G, Ichabod Crane

A Matt Thorsen, Sr., Chatham

Third team

A Carson Carrow, Sr., G, Voorheesville

A Jackson Cusack, Sr., G, Fonda

A Jeffrey Mulhern, So., F, Duanesburg

A Caleb Nelson, Sr, G, Granville

A Isaiah Smith, Jr., G, Schalmont