PREP BASKETBALL: Central’s Moody a Quiet Force

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Whitney Moody was reluctant to talk about herself.

Moody had no qualms discussing her Sullivan Central Cougars teammates. And she smiled, laughed and dished with ease when discussing the potential and talent the 2008-09 Cougars have as a team this season.

But Moody, a 5-foot-9 senior forward, held back when talking about her own on-the-court talents.

Modesty was the word for Moody.

Yes, Moody averaged 18 points a game last season and reached the 1,000-point plateau as a junior.

Yes, she’s among the top offensive threats and all-around players in the Big Nine Conference.

And, yes, Moody plans to continue playing basketball once her high school career is over.

But, right now, Moody’s primary focus is on the Cougars, not herself.

And that’s what makes her so dangerous on the court.

Moody finds her points; she doesn’t demand them. And she believes defense and teamwork are as – perhaps more – important than offense.

According to Moody, the close-knit Cougars became even closer during the offseason.  Team members attended basketball summer camps together, and the bond that already united Central basketball grew even tighter.

“We’re all really close,” Moody said. “We all get along and love each other.”

Meanwhile, Moody whittled away at her offensive attack, picking up new skills during four months of Amateur Athletic Union competition.

“It wasn’t really an offseason for me,” Moody said. “My AAU coach taught me tremendously. He taught me things I’ve never been taught in my life.”

And while Moody stayed mum when asked to indulge in her own accomplishments, Central coach Gary Surcey had no problem reveling in the works of his most-talented Cougar.

“She’s more of a silent leader. She’ll go out there and have an air of confidence about her when she’s playing. And the other kids feed off that,” Surcey said. “She’s not afraid [to lead].”

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