Words by Skylar Lara | Images by Justin Hunter
Meet Miller Moody, a junior on the Jasper High School basketball team. Standing tall at 6’9”, Miller takes immense pride in his community, town, and school, playing a crucial role in the Vikings’ success on the hardwood. Miller also excels in pickleball, a sport he picked up in March of this year, attributing it to improved hand speed and reaction time.
Having started playing basketball as a sixth grader, Miller acknowledges the guidance of coaches Heath Burns, Greg Tinker, and Daniel Thorne for his athletic growth.
“Coach Burns has really spent a lot of time with me and we’re always up at the school getting some work in. Coach Tinker has always been there for me, encouraging me. Coach Thorne is who really taught me how to play basketball,” he says.
Miller also plays Amateur Athletic Union basketball for Team Scoot Henderson out of Atlanta, Georgia, and credits his continued development to his coaches and teammates.
Reflecting on the current basketball season, Miller says, “I’m pleased with where we are. I think we should’ve beat Hale County, but we’ve been working to fix some things. I’m really excited to see where we are at the end of the year.”
Looking ahead to his 2025 graduation, Miller plans to play college basketball. While he hasn’t yet decided where to attend college, he is on the radar of big names like Lee University, the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH), and Trivecca Nazarene.
When he’s not busy blocking shots on the court, balancing between Beta Club, Spanish Club, Honor Society, or being a part of the youth group at Jasper First Baptist, Miller loves spending time with family and friends, playing video games, studying his bible and of course, playing pickleball.
When asked to describe himself, Miller replied with a smile, “I’m a caring guy. I really do care for people; I like to have fun, and I have a good sense of humor. I’m a big family guy, and I’m big on my relationship with Jesus and trying to live in a Christ-like manner.”
This unwavering dedication to the sport and determination to be a good teammate has created a buzz in the community. Miller and the Vikings are positioned to continue adding to the win column and making their hometown proud. WL
