Belle Vernon scoring sensation Zion Moore looking to add more elements to his game

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, January 11, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Zion Moore doesn’t consider himself one of the best basketball players in WPIAL Class 4A.

“I’m the best player,” Belle Vernon’s leading man said with a stern look on his face that grew into a grin.

With his high-tops tied tight, Moore clearly plays with confidence and carries a swagger on the court. The 6-foot-3 junior guard sees an open lane as free candy: It’s his, all his.

“A good scorer gets to his spots and knocks down shots,” said Moore, who is averaging 26 points for the Leopards (7-3), who are expected to make another playoff push in ultra-competitive 4A. “You have to be confident.”

He is second in the WPIAL in scoring behind Yough’s Terek Crosby (28.4 ppg).

Moore has adjusted to life at Belle Vernon, which was a new role when he transferred two years ago.

He has bounced around like a basketball in warmups. The Rochester, N.Y., native has lived in Pittsburgh, Monessen, Charleroi and Donora, among other stops, for family-related reasons.

“I don’t know if I am a Belle Vernon kid yet, but I am getting there,” he said.

One of just two basketball-only players on the roster at a football school — junior forward Tommy Davis is the other — Moore appears to have settled in comfortably to his role as a scorer. However, there is more to the backcourt standout who creates his own shots and gets to the rim for the Leopards.

The volume scorer already has collected 1,289 career points, including 883 at Belle Vernon. Steals, blocks and forced turnovers mean a little more to the combo guard now.

“My role has changed a lot this season,” he said. “I am trying to be more of coach on the court, lead by example. I am trying to hustle more and play better defense.”

That’s an aspect of Moore’s game that can make veteran coach Joe Salvino turn from angry to happy in one defensive stop.

“I got on him a lot about playing defense,” Salvino said. “I coached his brother (Dwight Moore at Monessen), and I tell Zion he was a much better defender. Zion has improved and given a lot more effort.”

Moore, who transferred from Ringgold two years ago, had 40 points in a 65-46 win over South Park. He had six steals in the same game.

He made the all-tournament team over the holidays at Charleroi.

Moore had seven assists in a win over McKeesport, a playoff contender in 5A.

Maybe the summer was the precursor to another big high school season. Moore had a 55-point game in a summer league and also won a slam dunk contest at a charity showcase at Jeannette.

“We need him to lead by example,” Salvino said. “I tell him, if you hustle, others will follow.”

A 25-point scorer as a sophomore, Moore has not limited his game to slashing to the basket. His perimeter game also is improving as he shows more range.

“I am making a lot more three-balls,” he said. “I have been working on my 3-point shooting.”

Division II colleges like Moore’s game. He has an offer from Edinboro and interest from West Liberty.

Rebounding also has been a priority for Moore, an aspect necessitated by the loss of two key big bodies, Quinton Martin and Braden Laux, a pair who chose not to play basketball as they prepare for college football careers.

“We needed to step up,” Moore said. “But honestly, it feels the same (without Martin and Laux).”

Having a cousin who played Division I basketball helps Moore prepare for college ball. Nahziah Carter, a Rochester, N.Y., native, played at Washington from 2017 to 2020.

“We worked out together,” Moore said. “He beat me 7-0. I want to get him back.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Belle Vernon