Dunmore graduate Murray commits to Penn State
Nov. 30—After some anxious and emotionally draining days before starting her college basketball career, Moriah Murray is back on track.
On and off the court.
The former four-time, all-state guard verbally committed to Penn State University on Tuesday. She will enroll in January and be ready to play in the 2023 — 24 season. Her move to the Big Ten school comes after a tumultuous few months where she endured a health scare that caused her to leave Drexel University before the start of her freshman season and enter the transfer portal.
"This is such a relief, finally coming to a decision after everything I have been through," Murray said. "I think Penn State is such a good fit for me. I am just so excited."
After captivating area basketball fans for four seasons, where she earned Times-Tribune Player of the Year honors as a freshman and as a senior, Murray suffered a knee injury last spring as a member of the Dunmore softball team.
It became a nagging setback, and after moving to Drexel to start working out with the women's basketball team over the summer, an MRI led to the discovery of a lesion on her femur. Doctors originally diagnosed it as cancer.
"That was probably the hardest news I have ever received," Murray said. "I have dealt with injuries where I couldn't play games or practice, but nothing like this. Being down in Philadelphia with my dad on the other line when I got the news was so tough. Hearing about cancer was really hard to comprehend. Being with my sister Ashley, who happened to be in town, really helped.
"I was shocked."
Scared and sad, Murray began to stare down the challenges she might face in her young life.
Her journey was one she felt she could not accomplish without the support and love of her family. Murray, who was roommates and a teammate with former Riverside all-state player Kylie Lavelle, put her basketball career on hold, and the 19-year-old returned to Dunmore.
"Honestly, it was really hard for me," Murray said. "Everyone at Drexel was so supportive, but there is something different about being with that family and being with my real family. I really needed to be with my family. I wasn't mentally prepared for what was happening to me, so being home was best for me."
At home, Murray contemplated the reality that her playing days could be over and shifted her focus solely to her health. There were difficult days. Then she learned that the lesion was not malignant. Cancer was ruled out, but what it is exactly is still not known.
"At my most recent appointment, they didn't think it was anything serious," Murray said. "That was a good appointment, but there is still a weight on my shoulders. I have to go back every couple of months. It's so hard not to think about it, but I can't let it keep me from playing the sport I love."
Cleared to resume workouts, Murray is back doing basketball activities with her AAU coach Kevin Clark and strength training with Colin Holmes at Riverfront Sports Complex. She also started to explore opportunities to restart the pursuit of her collegiate goals.
One came from Penn State women's basketball coach Carolyn Kieger.
"When I left Drexel, I didn't talk to any coaches, and I didn't know if I wanted to play Division I basketball anymore," Murray said. "I just went silent to spend time with my family and take care of myself. After I was watching all the college games and saw how great Kylie (Lavelle) was playing, I realized that basketball is my sport and I am not quite ready to give it up.
"There were so many people who helped me through this decision. They told me every day that basketball was important to me, and I was still young. They were a huge part of this decision and very encouraging, while also emphasizing that the decision was totally up to me."
The crafty 5-foot-8 point guard with a smooth shooting stroke finished as Dunmore's record holder for 3-pointers in a single season (87) and in a career (279). Murray scored 1,595 points in four seasons and led Dunmore to a record of 95-5 with three district championships. In 10 career PIAA playoff games, she averaged 20.2 points.
As a senior, Murray averaged 17.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game.
"Moriah is an incredible player, but an even better person who has been through a lot over the last six months," said University of Scranton coach Ben O'Brien, Murray's coach at Dunmore. "I am thrilled for her, and I have no doubt that she will be successful at anything she puts her mind to.
"Penn State is getting a great one."
