Day School's Tyler Myers breaks Evansville's all-time high school scoring record

EVANSVILLE — Tyler Myers never assumed this moment would happen. He also isn’t oblivious to the significance.

Early in the third quarter on Friday, the senior guard drove the length of the floor and converted a layup. This wasn’t any normal basket. It represented the passing of the torch from one of the best to play basketball in Evansville.

Myers doesn’t consider himself in that high regard. But the record still belongs to him.

The Day School standout passed Mekhi Lairy to become the all-time leading scorer in Evansville boys basketball history. Following a 36-point effort in a 74-38 win over Tell City, Myers now has 2,244 career points.

“Freshman year, I had no idea what was going to happen,” said Myers. “I just wanted to be the best team player I could be. I’ve had great guys around me who would do anything for each other. “To see all the work come to fruition, it’s an awesome sight to see.”

This is no small accomplishment. Only 20 players in state history have scored more points. Day School is also the second-smallest school in Indiana that competes in boys basketball.

Myers was enrolled in the North High School district growing up. He watched Lairy play multiple times during his prolific high school career.

“Nothing but respect for Mekhi,” said Myers. “A great player who’s tearing it up at Miami. I hope to follow in his footsteps as a small guard who can play the game.”

While Evansville's scoring record was reset in 2018, it wasn't meant to last forever

Mekhi Lairy knew it would happen one day. There was too much talent in Evansville. This achievement is also not something he sought to keep forever.

The former Bosse High School standout was the City’s all-time leading scorer in boys basketball for nearly five years. He scored 2,237 career points and played in two state championship games. He’s now a fifth-year point guard at Miami (Ohio) with over 1,300 points at the Division I level.

Lairy is grateful for having the top spot at any point but never sought it. Thus, he tips his cap to Myers.

“I just wanted to play ball," said Lairy. "Now when I look back, I am extremely proud of myself. Seeing the impact that I have had on the youth is what matters to me. But congratulations to Tyler. I know he worked hard to get to the point where he is now.”

This is the third time in the past 25 years the record has fallen. Bob Ford of North had the mark for 31 years at 1,815 points. Jeremy Willis of Day School held the top spot at 1,899 for 19 years until Lairy passed him in January 2018.

There’s more awareness of such achievements. Willis had no idea he was close to Ford until a reporter told him his junior year (1998). The internet was in its infancy and social media didn’t exist. As the head coach at Boonville, Willis hasn’t had time to watch Myers since his freshman year.

But he can relate having played at Day School. Everyone knows who will get the ball. Everyone knows Myers needs to score for the Eagles to win.

“When I played there, you are generally smaller than your opponent,” said Willis. “If you’re a good player, there’s a big focus on you. It’s saying something that he’s putting the ball in the basket. I know he has to be the focus of the defense. I’m sure he’s a competitor. I would trade all the scoring for more wins.”

Mekhi Lairy on Tyler Myers breaking his record: “You can’t do anything but respect it"

This was on the radar for Day School coach Gary Wilsey barring something terrible. He’s also not going to be caught up in any ancillary conversations. He’s watched the work Myers has accrued in real-time.

Early-morning practices. Late-night workouts at the school. Myers has improved each year and has done what was asked of him. For the Eagles to win, they need him to score. They’re asking him now to lead.

“They’ll remember you far more for how you lead your teammates,” said Wilsey. “That’s what I think he’s getting better at. It doesn’t draw people out here to watch him, but it makes our team better. Either way, it’s still a heck of an accomplishment. I told him all you can do is go do your best. Nobody can ever take that away from you.”

Myers hopes to play some level of college basketball. There have been some conversations but nothing concrete at the moment. The expectation, if it occurred, would be a late signing this school year.

He also can’t control how others view this. Myers is simply here to play basketball and make his team better in the process. Day School is now 3-3 following the win over Tell City.

“We’re looking for wins,” said Myers. “That’s the biggest thing. We want to make the deepest (tournament) run we can. I’ve put a lot of time into this. It’s something I’ve done since I was 3 years old. To keep prospering from (basketball) is something I’ll cherish forever.”

No one would deny Lairy, a Division I player despite his smaller frame, was the more talented player. One could also argue Bosse played a tougher schedule than Day School. This doesn’t take away from what either player accomplished. They both scored over 2,000 career points. Only a small contingent in state history have reached that plateau.

They also shared something in common. This moment was never the end goal. It’s why Lairy applauds the new leader and offers him some advice.

“You can’t do anything but respect it,” Lairy said of Myers passing him. “My advice to Tyler would be to keep working. It doesn’t stop here. Be the best version of yourself every day. You’d be surprised what can happen.”

Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on Twitter @kylesokeland.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville Day School's Tyler Myers breaks city scoring record