SPANISH FORT — Trading the diamond for the hardwood wasn't the easiest decision he's ever made but deep down it was one Spanish Fort coach Justin Moore knew he would make one day.

"I've always wanted to coach basketball," Moore said after taking over the Lady Toros basketball team from George Brown who built the Spanish Fort program more than five years ago. "I really didn't expect to get the chance for a head coaching job like this so soon."

Moore had been an assistant coach on the football field as well as the basketball court before taking the head softball position for the 2010 season.

"I helped coach (Arthur) Haynes with the boys when he was here and then I have been helping coach Brown the last two years," Moore said. "Then this opportunity opened up and I'm just glad coach (Bryant) Vincent and coach Brown have confidence in me. I loved the softball job and I hate to give it up. I really thought about doing both, but with the overlap of seasons it wouldn't be fair to either team."

The 28-year-old north Alabama native grew up in Limestone County near Athens and earned his undergraduate degree and a masters from the University of Alabama before coming to SFHS four years ago.

George Brown said the team is in good hands. "I think he is the best person who's right for the job. I wouldn't let it go if I didn't think so. He is very knowledgeable in the sport of basketball. He already has a great chemistry with the girls having assisted me the last two years. He is going to bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the game. He did that with the softball team and with football as well."

Brown is staying on as the girls athletic director and as an assistant football coach. "I was just ready for a break from the head-coaching job. It can be very time consuming and demanding. But I will be there cheering them on. I'm looking forward to watching (the Lady Toros) play. I don't expect coach Moore to do everything I did. He will put his own spin on things. He knows defense very well. He ran the defense for me and did a great job. They are in great hands."

Moore and the team are wrapping up summer-ball before going to some college camps before school starts. As far as assessing the 2010-11 club he said some general ideas on how some key players will contribute to the team are taking shape. "I think we are going to be balanced. We're going to miss Terra (Reeves) of course. She could score. We're not going to replace her with one person but we're going to try to replace her with five. We lost some other talent to graduation but we have a lot coming back. We have kids that work hard and are dedicated. We have some good size inside with seniors Allison Whitley and Taylor Morehouse and we also have Elissa VandeWaa back. She will be a big leader for us. We also have some younger girls that I believe will step up and play a lot, rotate with Allison and Taylor and give us that inside out balance with Elissa."

The Toros open the next regular season with Fairhope. "I haven't had much time to think about it, yet." Moore said. "But it's always a good, tough game when we play them so we're looking forward to it. I think we will be ready."

Moore is also offering a youth basketball camp for 4-6 graders later this month. The Lady Toros basketball is camp set for June 28 and 29 at Daphne United Methodist Church on the corner of Main Street and Santa Rosa Avenue in Daphne. Call coach Moore at 234-7775 to register and for more information.