Missouri State commit Moad continues to lead on the court at Ash Grove
ASH GROVE, Mo. (BVM) — Khloe Moad’s name is well-known throughout the state of Missouri. The 6-foot-2 basketball standout is a threat in the post, and perhaps even more so on defense with her length. She has proved so time and again throughout her prep career, especially during her junior season.
This past winter, Moad averaged 16 points and seven rebounds per game, as well as two assists, two steals and four blocks. Perhaps the highlight individually of her season was becoming a 1,000-point scorer in early February.
“It was amazing, I’ve had that goal written down since I was little,” Moad said. “My team helped me a lot to get there. My family and friends were all there and my coach was so happy.”
Moad is part of a strong Ash Grove High School girls basketball program that has featured multiple 1,000-point scorers over the past couple seasons, including Emma Eagleburger and Kennedi Climer.
“We definitely have a special team,” Moad added. “Kennedi hit 1,000 points last year and was definitely a great captain and role model. Emma hit it this year and I’ve played with her since seventh grade. We have pushed each other and she pushed me to be an amazing ball player. I was really proud of her.”
With a high level of talent, Ash Grove has been seeking a deep postseason run, and they finally accomplished it. During Moad’s freshman season, she became a varsity starter while adjusting to the game at the high school level.
However, the Lady Pirates would fall short in the district championship game. As a sophomore, Moad helped her team to a conference title, but they would fall short in the playoffs yet again. This past season, though, Ash Grove went 18-11 and finally broke through with a district championship.
“That was an amazing win and it felt so good,” Moad said about the district title. “We’ve had that goal since freshman year and our coaches had the motto of unfinished business. It was a good season and we definitely had a better outcome.”
It may only be spring, but it is never too early to look ahead to next basketball season. Moad hopes she can help the Lady Pirates go further as a senior, but will also look to continue cementing her legacy at Ash Grove.
“A goal for me would be to score 500 points next year,” Moad said. “I hope to step into that captain position and help my team and the incoming freshman as well.
“Legacy is definitely a big thing. I work in the elementary right now with some of those kids. Just seeing those girls around the team is an amazing thing. They come to all our games, they always sit behind our bench, are cheering us on, and have signs. So I definitely think it’s started and I hope to push it forward to next season and leave an impact on Ash Grove High School.”
Moad has been putting together her legacy ever since her step-father began a club team when she was 4. Family has always been a big part of the sport for the Ash Grove junior, as she has also been coached by her mom through the years and has looked up to her brother as a player.
“I’ve had many idols over the years, but I would say one of my biggest ones is my brother,” Moad noted. “He showed me the love for the game. We spent hours in the gym together and would just always talk about basketball.
“My family is literally my everything. We’re such a close family and do everything together. My mom played in high school and knows a lot about the game. She’s tried to transform some of her game into my game as well.”
Throughout her life, Moad has played club basketball with DD Elite, Show Me Elite, Yanders Law and Missouri Phenom. Always playing up thanks to her 6-foot-2 height, Moad has gained some beneficial experience that got her plenty of college notice, even before high school.
“AAU ball definitely separates from school ball,” Moad explained. “It pushes me and my IQ has grown so much. Playing with some of the best girls ever has made me the ball player I am as well. I think it’s going to have me ready for the collegiate level.”
Displaying her talent on a bigger stage, Moad received her first college offer during her eighth grade year. She continued to get interest from lower-level schools throughout her first two years of high school. But last summer, nearby Missouri State first showed interest along with several other high-level programs.
While she also considered Abilene Christian and Murray State, her home state school set itself apart. With Covid making the recruiting process difficult, Moad wanted to commit sooner than later, and could not pass up the philosophy of Missouri State head coach Amaka “Mox” Agugua-Hamilton.
“They blew me off my feet right away,” Moad said about Missouri State. “The one thing that set Missouri State apart from all the rest was the motto that my mom has always said, family, academics, basketball. Mox has that same exact motto. It was like I had conversations with her before and everything just felt so right about her program.”
Being able to stay close to home was an added bonus for the basketball standout, and now she will have the chance to play in front of plenty of friends and family with the team she grew up watching.
“I’ve watched them since I was a young girl being local,” Moad said. “It’s just amazing to represent Ash Grove and now go to Missouri State and be the first one to go Division I at our school. It’s such a supportive community.”
A bright future awaits Moad off the court as well. Already working with elementary school kids, she someday hopes she can teach at that level. In addition, she hopes to tie in her love of basketball with her teaching passion by becoming a coach someday.
However, first comes what is likely to be a special playing career at Missouri State. With the program coming off a special postseason run and continuing to be on the rise, there is no better time for Moad to become a Lady Bear.
“I’m beyond excited and they just had an amazing run to the Sweet 16,” Moad concluded. “I think some of my biggest goals are just going in and pushing myself, showing the coaches everything I’ve got through my hard work and being a great teammate.”
