Ike Moser, a 6’2” guard on the Foxes boys basektball team, often gets assigned the toughest defensive players and the best scorer on the opposing team. He’s asked to shut down that player and limit his impact on the game, a responsibility he takes seriously.
Ike’s dedication and leadership by example are just two reasons why head coach Zach Skrinjar has high praise for the senior. He explains, “Ike is a testament of what we look for in a Fox Chapel basketball player.”
Coach Skrinjar further highlights Ike’s tireless work ethic, saying, “The thing that we see the most as coaches is his constant effort in practice. He doesn’t take a drill off and if he had bad reps on a drill, he goes again until he does it correctly. Ike leads by example, and it is contagious, especially for the younger guys. His actions make everyone work harder when they see a senior giving everything on the court.”
Ike’s association with the Fox Chapel Area basketball programs runs deeps. His journey began with first-grade recreational ball and over the years, he’s honed his skills through hard work. Along with maturing as a player and person, Ike prioritizes staying level-headed and fostering positivity among his teammates.
“I try not to get too down, and I try to pick my teammates up when I sense they are frustrated,” he explains.
This season, Ike has significantly increased all his stats from a year ago. On a per-game average, he’s doubled his points and tripled in nearly every other category, including rebounds, assists, and steals.
The Foxes currently lead WPIAL Class 6A Section 1 with a 14-4 overall record, a 9-2 mark in section play, and are scoring an average of 54.3 points per game (as of January 29). However, the battle for the top spot remains fierce with New Castle and Seneca Valley tied in section wins (8-3), with New Castle’s overall record at 14-3. Seneca Valley has an overall record of 11-8.
Getting to the top of the leaderboard has come with some intense moments this season, often claiming victories after surges in the fourth period or overtime. Ike’s defense has been especially prominent in those eventual victories.
Reflecting on those close calls, Ike says, “We need to be more consistent on defense and much more aggressive on both sides of the ball as compared to last year. We can’t start off slow offensively, but even more importantly, we can’t let that affect us on the defensive side. We just have to keep working hard in practice. The goal is to put together a full game offensively and defensively, and we need to keep striving toward it.”
Ike was a freshman when he witnessed the Foxes win the WPIAL Class 6A title and advance deep into the PIAA championships. He knows the commitment it took to get there. Now, as the team heads through the final weeks of the current regular season and then into the postseason, Ike is a crucial piece of the puzzle if the team is to extend their season deep into the playoffs.
His coach recognizes Ike’s progress and importance to the team saying, “Ike is very respected by the coaching staff and his teammates. I can’t say enough good things about Ike and how far he has come as a player. I’m happy to see his success because he worked hard for it and deserves it.”
