(Fourth from the left, sophomore Tyler Myers)

All summer long, the sharp clanking of barbells and dumbbells could be heard coming from Tyler Myers’ garage-turned-personal-gym. Later in the day, the noise often traveled outside, where the swoosh of nylon basketball netting rang out with each jumpshot Myers took.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Evansville Day sophomore guard was determined to return to his team an improved player.

Though, with fitness centers closed and basketball courts shut down due to local and state health guidelines, Myers had no choice but to get creative, and his father, Eric, had just the idea. Inside Myers’ grandfather’s garage sat workout equipment that had gone untouched for several years. The plan? Take the equipment and create a makeshift gym inside their own garage.

Soon, the father-son duo got to work. Each day, with the mid-summer sun beating down, Myers worked relentlessly to improve his physique and skills, his father often right there beside him.

“My dad and I usually, he’ll rebound for me, he’ll train me and do whatever I ask him to,” Myers said. “It was really an all-around effort from Coach (Gary) Wilsey, my father and I to just dedicating and finding ways to commit ourselves to getting better.”

Last season, Myers wasted no time introducing himself to his Evansville Day teammates, conference foes and all of Class 1A. As a freshman, Myers shattered the Eagles’ single-season scoring record and broke the school’s single-game scoring record when he tallied 46 points last February.

But for all the accolades and recognition the 5-foot-9 guard has already garnered in his short yet prolific career, Myers entered the offseason knowing he’s capable of so much more.

Chief among the offseason priorities, as he and Wilsey mutually agreed, was improved ball-handling. While it’s no secret that Myers can score from almost anywhere on the court with his smooth left-handed stroke, in order to truly elevate his game, better ball-handling was crucial.

“That’s the biggest jump I’ve made this season, just wanting it more,” Myers said. “Especially knowing that with the pandemic, that every day could be your last day of the season.”

The adjustments have seemingly paid off in his sophomore campaign. Through eight contests, Myers is averaging 33.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 4.1 steals per game, all marks which slot him near or at the top of Class 1A.

Performance aside, leadership and motivation have also guided Myers through an uncertain season. Named a co-captain alongside senior Brant Wilsey before the season, the two have made it a point to treat each game like it may be their last.

“We understand that every game could be our last game, so we’re fighting each and every day,” Myers said. “Every single practice is like it’s going to our last time out there because it very well could be.”

Evansville Day’s triumphs don’t fall only on Myers’ shoulders, though. With Wilsey and sophomore Noah Rugani in tow, the Eagles’ offense has topped 70 points in six of its eight games. But it’s the losses, not the wins, that Myers said stick with his team the most.

In its season-opener against Loogootee (9-3), Evansville Day fell 85-76 despite Myers, Wilsey and Rugani combining to score 67 points. Then, single-digit losses to North Central (7-5) and Union County (Ky.) compounded an all-too-familiar feeling that the Eagles were so close, but couldn’t finish the job.

Now, though, Myers said the Eagles have learned from their mistakes and are ready to break through.

“We feel that we’ve reached a turning point in our season right now,” Myers said. “We’re just a little bit more motivated.”

With 10 games still left on the Evansville Day’s regular season slate, plus the IHSAA Tournament to follow, the Eagles still have plenty to play for.

As for Myers, his best basketball is still ahead of him. It’s what he’s worked toward all summer, with each clank of the barbell and each swoosh of his basketball net.

“Even though we may not be in school, we still get to go out there and play the sport that we love,” Myers said. “Every year our coach reminds us that we play for the seniors that year. I think that’s one of the loudest messages you can say.”

*Tyler Myers won the Indiana Basketball Source player of the week voting for January 11-16, 2021*