From 1948 to 1958, the premiere varsity basketball program in St. Clair County was in Odenville. The St. Clair County High School Saints were led and coached by Elmer Eugene Moree, better known as “Coach Mo” or “Double E."

At the age of 91, Moree died June 14, 2010.

Moree was born Dec. 11, 1918 in Mt. Zion, Missouri. He graduated from Shawnee Mound High School where he played basketball and was chosen Most Valuable Player his senior year in 1936. When he played back in the 1930’s, all they had was a dirt court.

Moree served in the Army from 1941-1945 during World War II. While stationed at Ft. Benning, Ga., Moree came to Birmingham on a 3-day pass with a friend. That’s how he met his wife, Charlie Mae, who was from Birmingham. They married in 1943.

While serving in Northern Italy in the Appine Mountains in October 1944, a group of soldiers including Moree was attacked when a shell exploded, killing a lieutenant. A piece of shrapnel entered Moree’s right leg and broke it.

Moree was being carried out on a stretcher first by a mule, then by a jeep and then by an ambulance.

Moree was in the hospital in Italy for over a year and was finally discharged from the Army in November 1945. He received the Purple Heart for being injured in the line of duty.

Moree graduated from Howard College in Birmingham in 1950 and received his Master’s Degree in education from the University of Alabama in 1953. He did all of this while teaching and coaching at St. Clair County High School.

Moree taught Physical Education, History, Math and Typing at SCCHS.

He coached Jr. High, B-Team and varsity basketball. Moree led the Saints to back-to-back county crowns in 1957-58. His teams advanced to the Sixth District Class A Tournament eight years (1950-52, 1954-58). He led the Saints to the state tournament four years in 1954, 1956, 1957 and 1958.

Moree’s career after teaching and coaching at SCCHS included teaching in the Birmingham City School System.

He was Boys Advisor at Banks High School, principal at Robinson Elementary School and principal at Woodlawn High School.

In 1972, he was asked to be the first Head Master at Franklin Academy in Birmingham.

He returned to St. Clair County in 1975 and made his home in Pell City. He was principal at Coosa Valley Elementary School for three years before retiring in 1978.

In January 2008, Moree was inducted into the Class of 2008 St. Clair County Sports Hall of Fame.