Tyler Jamison ready to lead Port Huron Northern boys basketball to new heights

Brenden Welper, Port Huron Times Herald
·4 min read
Port Huron Northern's Tyler Jamison works on his jump shot during practice at Port Huron Northern High School on Tuesday. He averaged 29.0 points and 12.3 rebounds per game while leading the Huskies to a 15-6 record last season.
Port Huron Northern's Tyler Jamison works on his jump shot during practice at Port Huron Northern High School on Tuesday. He averaged 29.0 points and 12.3 rebounds per game while leading the Huskies to a 15-6 record last season.

When it comes to Tyler Jamison, the tale of the tape is familiar by now. His accomplishments on the basketball court last season read like the back of a trading card.

The Port Huron Northern senior averaged 29.0 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.4 steals per game while guiding the Huskies to a 15-6 record and a MAC Blue title. In addition to being named the conference MVP, Jamison was selected to Associated Press All-State team for Division 1.

There was also his 59-point performance in a win over Warren Cousino on Jan. 18, which set a school record. He eventually became the program's all-time leading scorer on March 3.

How does one top such a season? That's anybody's guess. As for Jamison, outdoing past achievements isn't on his radar.

"It's not something that I feel any pressure to replicate," Jamison said. "What I do want to replicate is our record and our wins. That's what most important to me. Everything else will work itself out."

With the start of the 2022-23 basketball season days away, and his commitment to play in college at Fairleigh Dickinson finalized, the senior is ready to lead Northern for one final run.

Port Huron Northern's Tyler Jamison goes for a layup during a game last season. He was named the MAC Blue MVP and selected to the Associated Press All-State team for Division 1.
Port Huron Northern's Tyler Jamison goes for a layup during a game last season. He was named the MAC Blue MVP and selected to the Associated Press All-State team for Division 1.

"We just have a lot of basketball players," Jamison said. "We've always had good athletes, but a lot of kids this year have played high-level basketball ... the pieces are fitting (together). And I feel like we'll be ready to get after some teams."

Make no mistake, the 6-foot-5 point forward is the puzzle's most important piece. But if all goes according to plan, Jamison won't have to shoulder the offensive burden the way he did as a junior.

"We're hoping this year,he doesn't have to score as much," said Northern coach Brian Jamison, who is also Tyler's dad. "Last year, we obviously needed him to score in lots of ways. I think he'll still do that. That being said, I think we'll have a few more offensive weapons this year."

A key weapon is junior Luke Maher, who returns as one of the starting guards. He's developed into a viable 3-point threat for the Huskies.

"By the end of (last season), he was playing outstanding for us," Brian Jamison said. "We're looking forward to great things out of him."

Port Huron Northern coach Brian Jamison watches his players run a drill during practice at Port Huron Northern High School on Tuesday.
Port Huron Northern coach Brian Jamison watches his players run a drill during practice at Port Huron Northern High School on Tuesday.

"With (Tyler) as a point guard, he's able to see the floor the best," Maher said. "I just found my spot in the corner and do what I do — knock down 3s. He's able to complement me and I'm able to complement him. He can find me (open) and is a great ballhandler. Hopefully, I can knock down some shots for him."

Other notable returners are guard Jacob Clark, forward Kanye Cole at forward and center Charlie Dunkel.

Northern also welcomes a promising freshman class of Cameron Harju, Amir Morelan and Alex Jamison (Tyler's younger brother).

"All three have played a lot of high-level AAU basketball," Brian Jamison said. "They're used to a speed that's probably more like a varsity basketball game. They're still freshman, but we're really excited about them."

No one is more thrilled to share the court with Alex than Tyler. They each grew up around the program, which their dad has led since 1999.

Port Huron Northern's Amir Morelan (right) drives against teammate Luke Maher during a practice at Port Huron Northern High School on Tuesday.
Port Huron Northern's Amir Morelan (right) drives against teammate Luke Maher during a practice at Port Huron Northern High School on Tuesday.

"I'm super excited," Tyler Jamison said. "I really like the group that we have and I really like Alex, he's an amazing player. It's something that we've looked forward to our whole lives — hoping that we'd be good enough to play together on varsity."

The Huskies will open the season at home against Clinton Township Chippewa Valley on Dec. 10. They also moved up one division into the MAC White.

"I want us to win every game we can," Maher said. "This is a league that we can win. No one is going to hold us back except ourselves."

The onus of reaching that goal will ultimately fall on Tyler Jamison, as it often does for generational players.

"I'd like to win the league (championship)," Tyler Jamison said. "I'd like to win the MAC tournament. That's something I haven't been able to do yet. And win a district title. It's been a long time since Northern has done that."

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Tyler Jamison ready to lead PHN boys basketball to new heights