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BOYS BASKETBALL: Andrew Myers ready to breakout and lead Clarkston this year
He’s not as fast. He’s not as tall. But there is no denying that Clarkston 2015 point guard Andrew Myers can ball. The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder helped lead his team to a 20-5 record this past season, averaging 9.5 points and 4 assists per game, along the way.
On a team which had zero stars on it, just guys who knew how to play the game of basketball, Clarkston was one of the best in the state all year. The Wolves didn’t win states like they set out to do, but Myers and crew were apart of one of the best teams in program history. And that’s saying a lot.
"We had a two-year drought without winning a district, so it was great to back on track," he said. "Obviously we didn’t reach our main goal of winning a state title, but we accomplished a lot. It was just a great season overall playing along side seniors Nick Owens and Micheal Nicholson, who have helped me a lot, to become a better point guard."
Owens and Nicholson will be heading off to college to play, but the teams is in good hands with Myers running that show.
"There is a great tradition of having good point guards here at Clarkston," he said. "And I just want to lead the best way I can and live up to that tradition. Also I’m ready to be another coach on the floor and that’s what Coach Fife expects of me."
Dan Fife has been coaching at Clarkston for 32 years and has coached two of the best points guards the state has ever seen, in Dugan and Dane Fife, his sons. Myers may not have the pedigree of those two at Clarkston, but said he still has learned a lot from being coached by Fife.
"What Coach Fife has done been very beneficial to me," he said. "Coach Fife has over 600 wins in his career and thats an incredible mark. He expects a lot out of his players and his knowledge of the game is out of this world.
"I have the most respect for him because he cares so much about each player’s future. Not only has he made me a better basketball, he’s also made me a better person. You have to respect that and work hard every time in other to go out on the floor for him."
In a day in age where the point guard position has drastically changed over the years, Myers still remains one of those old school point guards. He models his game after crafty points guards like Jason Williams and Steve Nash and likes to get his teammates involved.
"I would say the biggest difference in my game from everyone else is that I’m truly a pass first point guard," said Myers. "A lot of the best point guards in the state look to score a lot more than I do. I would rather have more assists than points any day. But more importantly, I just want to win, even if that means making the right passes or driving the lane to score, I’ll do it."
Myers is also willing to take charges and get on the floor for his team, that unselfishness and intangibles you need to be an effective point guard. Still Myers hasn’t garnered much attention from any Division I programs and hardly any Division 2 programs. Still Myers continues to stay the course, in order to get his name out there more.
"A few Division 2 schools have told me they are going to come watch me this spring/summer but that’s about it," he said. "It obviously bothers me but I don’t dwell on it. I just use it as motivation to work harder and just stay patient."
Myers and Owens were a lethal combination on the floor for Clarkston and even on the AAU circuit last weekend at the Michigan Invitational. Owens is a sharp-shooter from deep and signed on to play at Madonna. They have also been recruiting Myers hard, so the two pairing up again in college isn’t out of the question.
"They like my game and my teammate Nick is going there, so it would be nice for us to play together," Myers said. "I’ve also heard from Aquinas and Concordia but nothing to big about that. Hopefully good things will come from that."
Myers has a nice game to him, but knows he has some things to improve on for offers to flow in. He plays AAU ball with the OAA Select 17-Under team and has used this time to perfect his craft.
"I’ve really been working on my pull up jumper," he said. "I also need to work on getting more explosive and just quicker in general."
Clarkston should still be a force in the OAA next season and Myers will be a big reason why. They’ve lost a lot of talented seniors, but he is confident that they can still have success in 2014-2015.
"We have some young guys coming in, so that will help us a ton," he said. "We just have to focus on getting better everyday and work towards a state championship."
