Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: A.J. Myers
School: Chartiers-Houston
Year: Senior
Sport: Basketball
Myers’ week: Myers averaged 26.3 points per game over four games, helping the Buccaneers to a 3-1 record that included a pair of victories at a KSA Events tournament in Orlando, Fla. The shooting guard in the Bucs’ offense, Myers started the week with a 37-point performance Dec. 12 in a 79-62 victory at South Side Beaver. After being held to 13 points in a 67-46 loss to an 11-win Upperman (Tenn.) team in Orlando last Thursday, Myers scored 15 to help Chartiers-Houston to a 62-55 victory over South Beauregard, La. Myers closed the Bucs’ three games in three days stint in Orlando by scoring 40 points as C-H outlasted Halifax Academy of Daytona Beach, Fla., 76-74, in overtime Saturday morning. The win improved C-H’s record to 4-2.
Though he had the season-high 40 points against Halifax Academy – his second 40-point game in an eight-game stretch that goes back to last season – Myers said it wasn’t his best game of the week.
“I’d say it was the South Side Beaver game,” Myers said. “I played a better overall game. I played better on defense.”
Talking points: Myers was the third-leading scorer in the area last season, averaging 23.3 points per game. Chartiers-Houston coach Eugene Briggs says Myers’ game on the offensive end of the court has improved from last season.
“He’s getting to the rim more often,” Briggs explained. “He’s always been a good three-point shooter. He used to settle for that. Now, he’s able to read what the defense is doing against him. If they’re trying to take away his three-point shot, he’s taking the ball to the basket. If the help defense is there, A.J. can pass. He’s tough to stop because he can do so many things.”
Myers played AAU basketball last summer with the local Team First squad and said that helped his development.
“I’m better without the ball,” he said. “I’m better at coming off screens, getting open and I’m more aggressive.”
Myers’ best game last season might have been in the first round of the WPIAL Class AA playoffs when he scored 42 points to lead the Bucs to a win over Charleroi.
“That game might have given A.J. the realization of what he can do,” Briggs said. “Before that game, he might not have been sure of what he’s capable of doing. This year, he’s already scored 40 and 37 and it hasn’t seemed like he’s scored that many. Typically, when a guy goes for 40, you know it. But for him, it seems effortless. He doesn’t look as quick as he is because he’s so smooth. He’s probably the smoothest player I’ve ever coached.”
Two-sport standout: Myers was a member of the Observer-Reporter’s Fabulous 15 on the all-district football team this season. As a wide receiver, he helped Chrtiers-Houston to a 7-4 record, second-place finish in the Century Conference and berth in the WPIAL Class AA playoffs.
Myers caught 37 passes for 779 yards and scored nine touchdowns. Of the 43 players with the most pass receptions in the WPIAL, Myers was the only one who averaged at least 21 yards per catch.
Myers, however, says he has a clear-cut favorite sport.
“It’s basketball,” he said. “I’d say I’m better at basketball. I’d like to play basketball as a long as I can.
“I like the whole basketball atmosphere. I like playing in the gym with the crowd is on top of your and all eyes on you. In football, you’re a little anonymous and detached from the crowd because it’s so far away. In basketball, everybody can see you.”
Dynamic duo: Myers and junior Cameron Hanley have given the Bucs’ basketball team a dangerous one-two punch. Hanley scored 31 points against Halifax Academy as he and Myers scored all but five of the Bucs’ points. They have led C-H to a 4-2 record.
“I’d say we have fewer guys returning than we did last season and thought it would take us some time to get used to playing with one another, but we’re building good chemistry,” Myers said.
Compiled by Chris Dugan