By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com
 

          Khavon Moore hasn’t played basketball since Jan. 16 when he went down with a leg injury that was surgically repaired the next afternoon.

        He has remained in demand as one of the state’s top basketball recruits, and remained busy being recruited, like spending last weekend at Texas Tech. But the Westside basketball standout still had Oklahoma and Mercer on his mind as finalists.

          Monday, at the North Macon Park gym, Moore said that said he’s headed to Texas Tech.

          He hobbled into a room at the gym with no hints from attire. He read from a tablet, after his mom quasi-scolded him.

          He thanked his mother for her sacrifice and dedication, and head coach Josh Grube, football coach and athletics director Spoon Risper and principal Julia Daniely “for their words of wisdom” off the court.

          He thanked his teammates, the city of Macon, his home after moving from Syracuse, N.Y.

          “This decision is based on what is best for me and my family and who is going to put me in the best position to help me grow as a person and a player,” he said. “All my school choices are great places, but I can only choose one.”

          Then he began the announcement while unzipping his sweatshirt, and his mom did the same, to unveil Texas Tech shirts.

          Moore let out a little sigh.

          The lean 6-foot-8, 190-pound wing is rated a four-star prospect and among the top 100 high school players in the nation.

          But his senior season ended with a broken tibia and fibula more than a month ago. Westside head coach Josh Grube said the surgery was a complete success and Moore’s rehab is on schedule.

          The leg injury delayed is original plan to make an announcement on Feb. 2.

          At one point last summer, Moore announced his final 12:

UCLA, Oklahoma, Southern Cal, Texas A&M, Marquette, Texas Tech, Alabama, Clemson, Providence, Mercer, Georgia and Florida.

          Along the way, Louisville and Ohio State were among those replacing some earlier candidates.

          Moore is a two-time Region 4-AAA player of the year, and averaged 22.5 points this year, passing 2,000 points along the way, before getting hurt. He was about two games from 1,000 rebounds for his career, and was leading the Seminoles this season in assists with 4.6 to go with 8.8 rebounds.

          Moore was a McDonald’s All-American nominee as well, and is an academic qualifier.

          Texas Tech is currently ranked 12 in both polls, and is 22-7, tied with West Virginia for second in the Big 12.

          If the commitment holds, Moore will be the second Central Georgia with guns up for the Red Raiders. Former Veterans baseball standout Gabe Holt is off to a superb start for Texas Tech, earning Big 12 newcomer of the week last week.

          Despite the injury, Moore’s team is still alive in the GHSA Class AAA basketball tournament, and travels to Hart County on Wednesday in the quarterfinals.