Former Collins Hill High School star Maya Moore has long been one of the top players in the WNBA. But even though the six-year veteran has seen a lot in her professional career, even some of the repeated ventures are still worthwhile.
Like a homecoming visit to Atlanta’s Philips Arena.
Moore showed out once again in front of her hometown crowd, scoring a team-high 19 points in Minnesota’s 110-78 victory over the Dream on Friday. The win was a special one according to Moore, as she got to meet with former classmates and teachers as well as a handful of family members.
“It’s fun to see their smiling faces and to know they had a special interest to see me play,” Moore said. “It’s good to see some familiar faces because we travel so much. When they come out to see me, it’s extra special.”
While Moore’s stat line showed another solid performance, the flow of the game wasn’t so simple. Moore was pedestrian in the early goings, scoring nine points in the first 20 minutes of play. It was no coincidence that while Moore was feeling her way through the game, the Dream stayed within striking distance.
But when Moore finally found her groove, the Dream’s chances dwindled.
Minnesota put the game away in the third quarter with Moore delivering the final blow. With the Lynx up by double digits with 1:03 remaining, Moore drove in for a layup. After she scored, she reacted quickly to the inbound, snatching the ball away and heaving it up toward the basket. The ball went in as the referee’s whistle blew, setting up a free throw and what almost felt like a five-point play for the former UConn star.
“I was just trying to stay aggressive,” Moore said. “The game of basketball is a game of flow and feel. When you start to sniff out those runs coming, the flood gates can open.”
With her latest effort, Moore has cemented herself as a true thorn in the Dream’s side, although she already holds that position with so many squads across the league. In her last five games against Atlanta, she has averaged 26.8 points per game and has only suffered one loss in that time frame.
And as nice as those scoring numbers are, Moore said she’s always more concerned about adding another victory when she comes back home.
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