Back to the Basics: HMK Boy's Basketball Team led by Familiar Face in New Season
By Frank Cardenas, South Texas Community News Dec. 11, 2020
In the last two seasons, H.M. King High School has seen the departure of two head basketball coaches, with Korey Hardeman being the most recent to leave the program in late June of this year.
Starting the basketball season with a new head coach in the middle of a pandemic already seems about as difficult a task as any for a high school program that is looking for continued success year after year.
However, the task at hand is easier to handle when it is remedied with a familiar face in HMK’s newest head coach, Moses Mora.
Mora began his teaching and coaching career at Ricardo ISD, where he served as a coach for basketball, track, and football for three years, before moving on to the Kingsville ISD.
“This is where I began coaching this group of basketball players where we had success,” Mora said about his time in Kingsville. “After three years, I went back to my hometown of Falfurrias to teach and coach at my alma mater.”
Mora was an assistant varsity coach in basketball, football, and track while at Falfurrias High School, but his stint at the home of the Jerseys was short-lived.
“When I learned about the previous coach resigning, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to apply, and reunite with my former basketball players,” Mora said. “I applied, got an interview, and was offered the job; and I started getting to work.”
Just like that, after one year away, Mora made his return to Kingsville, and was excited to see those players he coached just a few years prior.
“It was like we picked up right where we left off,” Mora said. “I believe the transition (from the previous coach) was a little easier, as I had coached the same group of players in previous years, so they already knew my philosophy and expectations. I have always had a great rapport with the team and continue to build that relationship.”
As for on the floor, Mora said his team has a “run-and-gun” style of play, so the action is always quick on the floor. “We love to play fast and take pride defensively,” he said.
Pictured is Coach Mora with his wife Joanna and daughter Leah (Courtesy Photo)
Luckily for the Brahmas, the season has begun without a hitch, as they’ve been able to play a few games in the preseason and have gone 4-2 in the process. Mora said he thinks the season has gone “okay considering the circumstances we are facing.”
“We have played well and have had some big wins over some tough teams,” he said. “I strongly believe that when we are playing our type of game, we can compete with anyone.”
The Brahmas have had trouble maintaining a consistent schedule in the preseason, as five games were canceled due to problems with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mora said these cancellations have put his team “in a bind” because it takes away contests that could potentially help his players gain experience.
However, he still remains focused, and is excited to get to District 31-4A play in January.
“I am looking forward to the team improving and reaching their potential as district play begins,” he said.
The Brahmas take on the crosstown Santa Gertrudis Academy Lions on Friday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at the HMK Domes.