Written by Dick Mason
The Observer
November 02, 2010
The question gave Mike Moore, La Grande High School’s head boys basketball coach from 1980 to 1984, reason to pause. "I have to take a deep breath, it was a touching moment," Moore said.
Moore had just been asked about what it was like the moment he and his wife, Linda, received the most memorable of anniversary gifts. One that allowed the couple to again celebrate the legacy of their daughter Laura, perhaps the greatest girls basketball player in La Grande High School history.
Earlier this fall Laura’s parents were in Chicago celebrating their 41st anniversary with sons Todd and Kevin. They were planning to soon make return trips to their homes in the Northwest when Todd suddenly changed their travel itineraries — altering their schedule in storybook fashion.
Todd presented his parents and brother Kevin with tickets for a flight to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. The Naismith Hall of Fame has enormous meaning to the Moore family because Laura’s name is listed in it. She won the national Elks Hoop Shoot in the age 8-9 girls division three decades ago. Upon receiving the tickets to Springfield, Mike and Linda Moore, who live in Boise, received a bonus. They learned Laura would be flying into Springfield to meet them at the hall of fame. An unforgettable family trip now awaited the Moores.
"This had been on my bucket list," said Mike, who is retired.
The moment Mike and Linda learned of the trip, they were heightened emotionally by the unofficial boarding passes Todd presented them. Each had a photo of Laura with her parents and a basketball. The photo had appeared in The Observer three decades ago.
When the family arrived at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame a few days later their emotions were in check. The family was set to enjoy one of the most memorable of experiences. It was an experience enhanced by members of the staff at the hall of fame.
"They were so excited when they learned that a hall of famer was present. They were really buzzing," Todd said.
The staff bent over backward to make the Moores feel welcome after learning about Laura. "They gave us the gold treatment," Mike said.
People left their offices throughout the building to greet Laura and her family.
The Moores had no trouble finding the Elks Hoop Shoot plaque upon which Laura’s name is engraved. It is in a prominent portion of the hall, one next to a major Michael Jordan display.
Seeing the Elks Hoop Shoot plaque likely triggered a flood of sentimental memories for Laura because winning the title was a family affair. Her parents and brothers were with her in Indianapolis three decades ago when she won the crown.
Laura later placed second at the Elks Hoop Shoot in her age division as a 13-year-old.
Her hoop shoot achievements were the start of a decorated career. Moore made Oregon’s all-state team each of the three years she played for LHS. She transferred to Pendleton her senior year after her father accepted a job there as assistant principal of Pendleton High School. Laura made the all-state team a fourth-time in 1989 during her senior year at Pendleton High.
Laura was such a standout at Pendleton that after graduating her number, 22, was retired by the high school.
A deadly three-point shooter blessed with uncommon basketball instincts, Laura was heavily recruited almost from the start of her high school career. Much of the mail she received from universities wooing her was sent to LHS. A school official at the time said it seemed that Moore received more mail at LHS during her junior year than the rest of the school combined.
Laura eventually accepted a scholarship from the University of Washington, where she enjoyed a successful four-year career. She helped the Huskies make the NCAA tournament three times and was a starter her junior and senior years.
Today Laura, 39, lives in Beaverton where she is the owner of Express Professionals, a temporary hiring company. She has nothing but fond memories of her years growing up in La Grande. "I wouldn’t change anything," she said of her La Grande experiences.
The national Elks Hoop Shoot Moore won in Indianapolis three decades ago is today conducted at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The competition is on its "Court of Dreams." The floor is one visitors can play on and a court the Moore family conducted a free throw contest on. Laura, who had not played basketball in about a year, won it, making 30 of 35 free throws to edge her father by one.
Mike, like his daughter, has a sterling resume as a hoopster. He played at EOU about four decades ago. The 1969-70 team he played for is in Eastern’s athletic hall of fame. Mike, who graduated from Eastern in 1970, has fond memories of La Grande. "It is a very special place," he said.
The chance to play basketball with his family on the Court of Dreams will long remain a highlight of the family’s visit to Springfield in the mind of Todd. "It was youthful joy. We (he and his brother and sister) were like kids growing up again," said Todd, who lives in Seattle.
Today Mike, when reflecting on the Elks Hoop Shoot title his daughter won, says his daughter did not initially appreciate the magnitude of winning the Elks Hoop Shoot.
"I don’t think Laura knew the significance of it. She was just a happy-go-lucky kid," Mike said. "Who knew that years later her name would be in the Hall of Fame?"
