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After transferring from South Philadelphia High School, 2101 S. Broad St., to Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School last year, Louis Myers took to the basketball court knowing he would need time to find his place to shine.
Leaving the Lower Moyamensing-based facility for the Center City site meant initially parting with a large rotation role, but the resident of the 1600 block of Catharine Street soon revealed his radiance and helped the Mighty Elephants to a 26-3 record. Already set to be a leader, the senior will have added clout, as he committed last month to become a Norfolk State University Spartan.
“I really think I’ll fit in well since their guards control the pace of the game,” the 17-year-old wing presence said Friday at his secondary education institution. “Shooting and getting to the rim are already some of my strengths, so I’ll try to get even better at them this year before going away.
The South-of-South dweller selected the Virginia-situated higher learning haven from a handful of suitors, ending a month-long courtship that included an invitation to a prospects camp. Myers accepted and traveled with eighth-year athletic director Lonnie Diggs, who feels the teenager will thrive collegiately because of his penchant for patience.
“He’s really learned to fit in and take on different roles,” the former Point Breeze inhabitant said of the 6-foot-3 baller. “It will be interesting to see how this season unfolds because he has big shoes to fill.”
Recent graduate Jeremiah Worthem will be among those whom Myers looks to follow as a vocal and agile contributor. The product of the 2100 block of McKean Street, who committed to Robert Morris University last fall and helped the Mighty Elephants to capture the PIAA Class A state title two years ago, encouraged his fellow South Philadelphian to venture outside of their turf to improve his game. As his father had wanted the youth to receive better academic instruction anyway, Myers left Southern and has since enjoyed the maturation process.
“I feel pretty comfortable here,” he said. “I like talking with people, especially older ones, to pick up points about life. I’m getting to grow up here, and I like that. It’s good preparation for what’s going to happen at Norfolk State.”
While many youngsters need to test many activities before deciding which one could keep compelling them to become better, the eager athlete had hoops in his destiny early in life. His patriarch, also Louis Myers, played for Southern and New York-based St. Francis College, with uncle Jeffrey Myers likewise prepping on South Broad Street before heading to Drexel University.
“It was an easy decision [to play basketball],” the youngest Myers said of his extracurricular obsession. “It just seems I was supposed to do it.”
Despite his lineage and acceptance of the pastime, he noted his early efforts, including time at Marian Anderson Recreation Center, 744 S. 17th St., lacked much zeal. Enrolling at Southern assisted him, furthering his fascination with scoring and giving him an understanding of team dynamics.
“It became easier to put up points as I grew older,” Myers, who finished second on the Rams in scoring his final year at Southern, said. “I enjoyed having a big role and getting other guys involved.”
Though acing defenders came easily, mastering his course load proved more difficult, prompting the search for a site that would hold him as accountable for his classroom output as it would for his court pursuits.
“I like the switch because more is expected of me,” Myers, who joins the entire student body for weekly community service activities and who could end up majoring in accounting, said. “I think I’m managing everything well.”
Shortly after making the move, he began to receive outreach from universities, although he failed to let any pressure overwhelm his game. Deciding instead to distance himself from the attention, he came to play a prominent part in the Mighty Elephants’ 21-0 start and run to the Class A state semifinals. Finishing sixth on the team in scoring, he gladly traded buckets for bravado and believes this year’s team can continue to thwart Division-A foes.
“The Public League is always tough,” Myers, who expects to excel at handling the rock through periodic point guard duties, said. “We like taking on great teams because we’re a great team and want to keep getting better.”
Knowing the city slate has prepared him to give his best, the then-recruit picked Norfolk State after pondering how its offensive and defensive mentalities would mesh with his adrenaline-laced game. The aforementioned camp gave him more insight into his responsibilities as a maturing decision maker and kept him from drawing out his selection.
“I probably would have waited to see what else might come along,” Myers said of having been in no initial rush to make a four-year commitment. “Now that it’s sealed, I’m happy Norfolk State came along.”
Having prepped for his swan song through last month’s West Oak Lane-situated camp overseen by Los Angeles Clipper Maalik Wayns and Amateur Athletic Union action for Team Philly, he is ready for the increased chores coach Dan Jackson will assign.
“I have to leave with at least one championship,” Myers said of tackling the schedule, which includes a Dec. 28 tilt against New York’s renowned Christ the King Regional High School. “I got to go out a winner.”
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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