Eastern adds Bethel’s Moore to program

Unlike their counterparts on the women’s side, it was quiet Wednesday for the four area Division I men’s basketball teams on the first official day players could sign letters of intent.

Eastern Washington landed 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward Brandon Moore from Bethel High School near Tacoma.

Gonzaga, Washington State and Idaho had nothing to report, although the Cougars could announce the addition of two players later in the week. Idaho, which had three players make oral commitments in October, will make it official at a press conference on Tuesday.

By contrast, the four women’s teams signed a total of 11 players.

Moore averaged 11 points and 11 rebounds last season, helping Bethel to a 26-2 record and third place in the State 4A tournament. The Braves were 22-0 when they lost to South Kitsap, which was led by EWU freshman Jake Beitinger, in the league tournament. Beitinger’s team also came out on top in a rematch in the state semifinals.

Moore earned first-team All-South Puget Sound League South Division honors.

As a sophomore he averaged eight points and eight rebounds and was an honorable mention all-league pick as Bethel went 22-6 and made state.

“Because of his size and toughness he will make an immediate impact in our program,” first-year EWU head coach Mike Burns said. “He was a very highly-recruited player and turned down offers from schools in the West Coast Conference, the Big 12 and the Big West to become part of our Eagle Basketball family.”