Booker High School Names New Girls Basketball Coach

From Saratosa County Schools:

Booker High School has announced its new girls head basketball coach, Loy Moore. He will lead the team and teach physical education courses at the school. Moore is a veteran coach and educator with more than 30 years of experience in high school and college athletics.

Booker High School Principal Rachel Shelley said that she’s confident that Moore’s versatility and experience will make him a tremendous asset to the school. Shelley said one of Moore’s greatest qualities is his commitment to academic as well as athletic excellence.

“One hundred percent of his high school players not only graduate, but go on to college,” she noted.

Incoming Booker High Athletic Director Phil Helmuth said that Moore is, indeed, a great fit for the school. During a nationwide search of candidates, Moore emerged as a great fit.

“His value system is solid,” Helmuth said. “He’s been around the block and he knows what he’s doing.”

Moore is not a stranger to southwest Florida. Although he had a career coaching high school and college coaching teams in his native Arkansas, he coached at the University of South Florida in the 1980s and fell in love with the area then. He has vacationed in Florida ever since.

“Now it’s time to make that vacation our life,” Moore said. “I’ve always wanted to move back to Florida.”

While the sunshine and waters attracted him to the area, Moore said it’s the staff of Booker High School that make this choice the right one for him.

“There just seemed to be a connection,” he said of meeting the interview staff, including Shelley, Helmuth and Assistant Principal Darby Larkin.

While in town interviewing, Moore had the opportunity to meet the team, and he said he’s excited to help the team continue its success. In the 2015-2016 season, the Lady Tornadoes basketball team made it to the regionals, demonstrating speed and agility throughout the season.

The girls have been gearing up for the next year by attending conditioning sessions over the summer; most of the team will return for 2016-2017. Moore recognizes their potential.

“This dedicated team of student athletes can go on to reach even greater heights,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with them.”