“It wasn’t as much of a set offense; it was just like run and go,” Moore said. “Coming here, we have a lot of offenses and we focus a lot on being patient.”

“This year, we’ve actually focused more on running, getting more of a fast-break game going, which I like,” Moore added. “It’s my favorite part of the game.”

In particular, playing against former Crimson point guard Jenn Monti ’02 taught Moore, as the pair formed a reciprocating matchup. For Moore, Monti helped her transition to Harvard’s game while also setting an example as a leader.

“Last year, I think Jenn Monti was the ultimate leader, in the games, in practice, off the court,” Moore said. “She definitely left some big shoes to fill. At the beginning of this year, I was a little timid of stepping in and taking on that leadership role.”

While her time off was beneficial in terms of adjustment, both athletically and academically, it was also trying for a player so passionate about her sport.

“It was particularly difficult for Bev because one of the reasons she transferred here is that she absolutely loves the game,” Delaney-Smith said.

Yes, I am Playing

Moore started playing at the recreational center of her parents’ alma mater, Northeast Louisiana, in junior high. However, her competition wasn’t exactly even, as the only people to play with were college-aged boys.

“It was funny because I would walk in and all the guys would be like, ‘You’re not for real, wanting to play in our pick-up game,’” Moore said. “It was kind of fun to get out there and be able to prove myself and walk in and be like, ‘Yes, I am playing.’”

Early on, Moore gained the notice of Barmore, the legendary coach who built the Techsters’ program over the last 25 years and retired only last August. His all-time winning percentage of 86.9 percent ranks first among men’s or women’s collegiate coaches.

“She’s certainly one of my all-time favorite players,” Barmore said. “I’ve been in the business for a long time, and I’ve never recruited anyone that loved the game when she was growing up like that. Beverly was one of the players that captured my heart very early.”

Moore caught Barmore’s eye before she even hit junior high, when she attended camp at Louisiana Tech, near her home town of Monroe, La. Already a standout, the fifth-grader was allowed to play on the eighth grade team.

At St. Frederick, Moore found herself a starting spot her freshman year of high school and never relinquished it. Though a private school, the team also played public schools and wound up in the state quarter finals during Moore’s sophomore and senior years. St. Frederick’s has again gained the attention of Division I recruiters against recently, as 6’3 post player Mary Abell is an up-and-coming prospect.

“Especially since I’ve been at college, I’ve seen girls’ basketball just skyrocket in my town,” Moore said. “We didn’t have an AAU summer league in our town when I first stared playing AAU. My parents and some other parents started the first AAU team in our town. Now there’s been lots of AAU teams, started at younger ages, and girls’ basketball has really taken off.”

Throughout high school, AAU games and camp at LaTech, Barmore followed Moore’s game. During May of her junior year, he offered her a scholarship, and she verbally accepted.