Moran presses on, of course

Jacobs boys basketball star John Moran allowed himself 48 hours last week to mourn the end of his high school career.

But sitting around and feeling sorry for himself didn't sit well with the ultra-active point guard, the ultimate rolling stone.

Within two days he was on the computer drawing up workout sheets that he, his brother Tim and their teammate, Conrad Krutwig, could follow this spring to stay in top form.

Moran can't afford to slow down now that his stellar high school career has ended, not when the chase for his ultimate goal -- a berth in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament -- is nearly set to begin at the University of Northern Iowa.

Moran will depart for UNI, the Missouri Valley Conference program he committed to last spring, the day after he graduates from Jacobs in June. He'll immediately begin taking classes and working out with the Panthers.

"Getting to the tournament is my dream," Moran said this week. "It's always been my dream. Not just getting to the tournament, but making a name for the school and getting pretty deep in the tournament would be a dream come true."

Just having Moran for four seasons in Algonquin was a dream come true for area fans, not to mention Golden Eagles coach Jim Hinkle.

Hinkle and assistant coach Tom Peterson -- who has coached Moran since the Dundee Park District days when Moran and Peterson's son, Zack, were third-graders -- witnessed the career of the player widely considered among the best McHenry County has ever produced from the best seats in the house.

"I've seen every player to come through the Fox Valley Conference and he's the best I've ever seen," Hinkle said.

Moran moved back to the point guard position in his senior season and produced eye-popping results. In 29 games he amassed 222 assists (7.7 avg.), 121 steals (4.2), 118 rebounds (4.1) and 490 points (16.9) for a team that went 26-3, repeated as Valley Division and Jacobs Holiday Tournament champions and won a regional title for the first time since 1998.

He graduates as the school's all-time leader in points (1,918), field goals (721), field goals attempted (1,496), 3-pointers (196), 3-point field goals attempted (566), made free throws (280), assists (443) and steals (344).

Moran's 344 career steals rank him sixth all-time in IHSA history.

Moran also set a single-season school record this year with 222 assists, tying him with Derrick Rose of Simeon for 15th place all time in Illinois.

For these reasons John Moran has been named honorary co-captain of the Daily Herald's Fox Valley All-Area team for the second straight season.

Moran, honorary co-captain Mike McCurdy of Burlington Central, the rest of the all-area team and the players of the week will be honored at the Daily Herald All-Area recognition awards dinner on Sunday at Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre in Hoffman Estates.

Moran's continuing training will resume the following day.

"He's going to have a great college career because he wants to get better," Hinkle said. "He knows he can still get better. How many guys of that caliber have that kind of attitude? He wants to be coached. He wants to continue learning."

Moran will continue learning under UNI coach Ben Jacobson, who is impressed with the polished competitor his program will welcome in June.

"I think Johnny's best quality is that he just wins," Jacobson said. "He isn't concerned about numbers in terms of statistics. The only thing Johnny is concerned about is how his team does and that is his best quality. That's what excites me most -- we're getting a guy who all he wants to do is win."

Moran said some have been critical of his college choice, wondering why he chose a "mid-major" school despite being the most highly touted player in school history, a recent history that included current University of California player Eric Vierneisel, whose school scoring record Moran toppled this season.

Vierneisel saw limited action in his first two seasons at Cal, a period of dormancy Moran was unwilling to accept.

"I knew that at least one big school was going to ask me to come to their school, but I wouldn't get much time right away, if at all," Moran said. "I've never just gone and sat and watched. I'm not looking to do that.

"I couldn't wait four years to be playing. Hopefully, I won't have to. I just want to get in, play right away and try to compete for the starting spot. I think I'll have a chance to do that."

Northern Iowa concurs.

"We feel strongly that Johnny can impact our team from Day 1," Jacobson said. "He has an understanding of the game, a feel for when to make plays, a feel for putting his teammates in position where they can succeed, a feel for the game and toughness. All those things will help Johnny make an impact on our team from Day 1."

Moran set eight career record at Jacobs but he's most proud of one that will likely never be broken.

"I'm really glad I got to play with all three of my brothers, Jim, Kevin, and Tim," John said. "I had at least one brother on my team all four years, and that will be something I'll never forget."