MORAVIA –– Joe Baylor came over the top of a screen at the top of the key Friday night, saw an opening and let a 3-pointer fly.
It was hard to tell what was smoother –– Baylor’s jumper or the ball going through the net.
The horn sounded, the clock stopped and the Moravia boys basketball team lined up on the sideline in front of its bench. Baylor and head coach Todd Mulvaney embraced.
Baylor, Moravia’s 6-foot-5 do-it-all star, just scored his long-awaited 1,000th point.
“At first, I actually didn’t know what was going on,” Baylor said. “Then I realized I probably hit 1,000. I wanted to act humble. I didn’t want to showboat or anything. It felt great after having a year off of basketball. It felt great to come back and hit 1,000 points in three years.”
Baylor’s milestone point came after a spectacular senior season that has included countless double-doubles and 20-point outings. He knew he was getting close and set a goal to hit it Friday night a few weeks ago.
“It was the Spencer-Van Etten game when I was 90 away, four games ago, when I knew I could 100% get this my senior night,” Baylor said. “We planned it and I hit it my senior night.”
Moravia head coach Todd Mulvaney was ecstatic to see his star senior become the eighth Blue Devils to reach 1,000 points.
“Joe’s been working really hard, not just this year, but the last 10 years to get this goal,” Mulvaney said. “I knew as he was creeping closer and closer and he was within 20 points going into this game, so I know he had a shot. It’s just a special and cool moment for him (Friday night). I was happy because I see what he does behind the scenes. To see him accomplish that, a goal he’s had since he was little, it really cool.”
Baylor’s milestone feels extra special because he missed all of last season with a torn ACL. He had to sit out and watch his friends win a Class C state championship, which increased his drive to hit 1,000 points.
“I definitely wanted to hit 1,000,” Baylor said. “I saw them playing, so I really was getting FOMO.”
The senior toyed with the idea of returning for the state semifinals in Glens Falls in 2024 after suffering the injury in August of 2023, but knew he wouldn’t be ready.
“Last year, the week of Glens Falls I was thinking about coming back and playing,” Baylor said. “I just knew my body wasn’t ready for it and that was definitely the hardest part. I was going to play, but I just stopped at the last moment. I wanted to do it so bad, but I knew my body couldn’t handle it.”
The comeback from injury has added to Mulvaney’s awe of his top player.
“He’s the definition of someone who’s had to persevere and make themselves better though adversity,” Mulvaney said. “To sit back and have to watch our team knowing how close he was with that group, and he couldn’t help us in certain situations, I know that was tough on him. Then to see him regroup and work as hard as he did this offseason just to get himself stronger and to trust himself again. It’s not just the physical component, it’s the mental component that he had to overcome. He clearly plays without fear like he used to.”
Baylor was the second member of the Moravia boys basketball program to reach a milestone this week, with Tuesday’s road win over Union Springs being the 300th of Mulvaney’s career.
“The kids would always tease me about things and ask me where I was at,” Mulvaney said. “It’s one of those things you don’t think about. It just happens. I’ve been fortunate to be around some great, awesome teams. It’s a credit to all the fun we’ve had together and the hard work.”
Mulvaney isn’t one to talk about his own personal accomplishments, but he took some time to reflect on his 18 years as Moravia head coach after the win. He’s had plenty of sectional championships and great teams and his family made sure to commemorate those for him.
“My family had made me a really nice collage,” Mulvaney said. “When I got home that night, around 10 o’clock to eat dinner, it was on the table. It was special because my wife and daughter did a really cool job of gathering photos from back when I started and throughout the years, all the great memories. It’s hard not to think about the special moments and the good times throughout the years that we’ve been fortunate to be a part of.”
The week has been tough on Mulvaney, who is also Moravia’s athletic director. He’s glad both accomplishments happened and went off well, but the division-title clinching win over Union Springs was huge for the Blue Devils.
“It’s obviously been good, but it’s been tiresome and stressful at times,” Mulvaney said. “I’m just happy for our kids. What we’re playing for is that division title, and to win that we had to go over and play in a tough environment against a tough team in Union Springs. To get that win on Tuesday night was really huge for our kids and this team.”
