BE girls' basketball team member Rhetta Moore scores 1000th career point!

She’s in elite company as a member of five state championship teams at Bishop England High School, and is currently seeking her sixth ring as a member of the girls’ varsity basketball team. But every once in a while, Rhetta Moore stops and savors an individual accomplishment, especially when what seems like more than half of her family tree is in the stands rooting her on.

That was the case recently when the talented senior scored her 1,000th career point against rival Porter-Gaud. What made it even more special was that the milestone was witnessed by nearly 30 of Moore’s supporters, who sat in the stands wearing “Iron Joe” T-shirts. Moore’s uncle Joe Condon, a Bishop England graduate, passed away the week prior and many of the family members and friends in town for his funeral on Friday saw Moore become the ninth player in school history to reach 1,000 points.

“It was a pretty special game, a pretty special event,” Moore said. “My uncle passed away and it was nice that everyone was there. It was nice that it came against our rival. It was just a fun night.”

About those state championships: Moore has played on two volleyball teams that won state titles, and she’s had a key role as a member of three state championship basketball teams. This season, she has the main role as the Bishops go for another hoops title.

Moore’s work ethic and determination are outstanding. All you need to do is go back to her sophomore year when she didn’t make the varsity team.

“Most players would have quit, but she stuck with it,” girls’ basketball coach Paul Runey said. “She ended up making all-state and was the MVP of the state all-star volleyball game. Most students would tell you if they didn’t make the volleyball team by their sophomore year, they would never make it. But not Rhetta; she doesn’t give up.”

Moore said all the state championship teams she’s played on have produced special memories. But the state title the volleyball team won in November stands out just a little more. That state title was the Bishops’17th in a row, which is the national record.

“That was really nice,” Moore said. “But anytime you win a state championship it’s quite an honor, quite an accomplishment. A lot of great players never get to experience one. If you win one state championship, it’s incredible. I’ve been blessed to play on five state championship teams.”

Bishop England has had numerous student-athletes play on numerous state championship teams. While the records are a little sketchy, it is believed that Moore’s older sister, Mary Harriet, has played on more state championship teams, seven, than any girl in school history.

Rhetta Moore could finish with six if the basketball team, which began the season as No. 1 in Class AAA, can convert the ranking into reality.

“That would be wonderful,” Moore said. “Our goal is always to win a state championship. But playing at the Class AAA is going to make it tougher. We have to show up for every game. In the past, we didn’t have to do that. We could have an off night, and it would still be a blowout.”