Moretti emerging as superstar, leader of young core

It’s not often that Jordan Moretti towers over the rest.

The junior guard at Johnston High measures in at just a few inches over 5 feet tall, but she has risen above the other stars that Division II has to offer to claim the mantle of top player.

Moretti has her Panthers at 9-0, the only undefeated record remaining in D-II, and she put forth another herculean effort on Tuesday night to keep it that way. She put up 27 points, 13 rebounds, six steals and five assists.

“Just her will to win is incredible,” Johnston head coach Chris Corsinetti said. “They feed off of what she does on the court. They see her desire and feed off it. Quite frankly, I do too.”

Moretti showed flashes of her ability as she helped lead Johnston to an 8-10 record in D-II North last season, but she took her turn as a star right off the tip this year.

During a non-league bout with Division I Smithfield in December, Moretti took control of the game during the first half en route to the 45-41 upset. She finished with a final stat line of 17 points, seven rebounds and six thefts.

If that box score looks familiar, that’s because it’s similar to the way Thunder guard Russell Westbrook packs the book every night. Moretti’s offseason work on strength and conditioning has helped her become one of the most feared fixtures of D-II.

“You have to be a really good athlete to do that, and [Westbrook]’s considered the most athletic player in the NBA,” Corsinetti said. “Her strength has increased noticeably in my opinion. That’s helped her. It gives you more confidence knowing you put the time and the work in. She didn't want to have any excuses. What separates her on the court is her preparation.”

Moretti, who is one of just four players in the state averaging more than 20 points a contest, has led a predominantly young squad this campaign. She’s the only junior that Corsinetti rolls out on the court for the opening jump. The other four are sophomores, and freshman Caroline Howe has made a significant impact off the bench.

Corsinetti said after Johnston’s 51-34 win over Ponaganset on Jan. 12 that he didn’t feel he had a “very good team” just yet. Following victories over previously undefeated Westerly and East Providence (8-2), the tune has changed slightly.

Moretti has been vital to helping the youthful unit gel, and it’s paying dividends as the Panthers drop opponent after opponent.

“They’ve certainly risen to the challenges that we’ve had,” Corsinetti said. “We’re not where we need to be. We’re not playoff-ready. We’re not a very good free-throw shooting team. We’re missing opportunities to put teams away earlier.”

Moretti is also Johnston’s standard-bearer at the line. She’s made just a tick under 68 percent of her free throws (36-of-53), which is far and away tops on the squad. Her 20 3-pointers are also more than triple the next teammate.

She’s dominated inside and outside, but her ability to get looks for her teammates is what’s elevated the Panthers from below-.500 to the top contender for the D-II championship.

Johnston is having fun with its progress this season, and having a superstar like Moretti can keep the party going until March.

“The thing I stressed, before and during the Westerly game, was to enjoy the moment, soak it up, don’t get caught up in the moment,” Corsinetti said. “Get caught up in the fact we’re playing in a game that’s so significant. In my opinion, the way I’m going to approach it, is just have fun. We have to work hard, but we’ll enjoy it. If we lose a game, that’s fine.

“Let’s just lose it before the playoffs,” Corsinetti added with a laugh.