Tyron Lytes up season
for the Vikings

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Whether he is driving an hour from his Mount Airy home to Northeast High School every day, or showcasing his basketball skills throughout the nation, Tyron Lytes is going places.
And the 6-foot-2 senior guard is taking the Vikings with him.
Lytes is leading Northeast in points this season with 153, including 14 that he scored during the Vikings’ 72-43 victory over Samuel Fels High School on Jan. 3.
"He’s my star player," said coach Elsa Cohen. "He has an excellent game. When he steps it up, the team follows."
The dominant Vikings took the lead early in the game against Fels and didn’t let go. Top scorers were senior forward Marcus Booker with 18, Lytes with 14 and guard Corey Wilkins with 12.
The win gave Northeast a 3-2 record in the Public League B Division. They were scheduled to play Olney High School on Jan. 8, after the Times went to press.
"We’ve had a couple of losses that we should have won, but overall we’re doing good," said Lytes. "We’re constantly improving."
Lytes first came to Northeast with the hope to start fresh and stay out of trouble. He has evolved into one of the more successful athletes on the court.
"My local school is (Martin Luther) King, but I figured if I went there I might get in trouble because of the neighborhood," he said. "So I decided to get away and meet new people, and this seemed like a good school. I really like it here."
After spending his debut season on the JV squad, Lytes stepped up to varsity as a sophomore, scoring 234 points on the season — the second highest on the squad. His junior year was just as productive; once again he scored more than 200 points.
"Over the years, I’ve gotten a lot bigger, stronger, and I’ve learned the game a lot more," he said.
Despite Lytes’ personal accomplishments during his time with the Vikings, Northeast has repeatedly fallen short. In 2006 they were ineligible for postseason play. The following year, the Vikings lost in the first round of the playoffs. In fact, they have not won a Public League title since 1929.
But that doesn’t weaken Lytes’ determination. It only strengthens it.
"It’s our time," said Lytes. "We’ve worked hard for this. Plus it’s my senior year, so I want to make it a good one. I want to go out on top."
In addition to his brotherhood with the Vikings, Lytes has been part of his local Positive Image AAU family for many years.
"I’ve been playing with them all my life," said the 17-year-old athlete. "That experience has made me a lot better and more ready for this year."
His commitment to both Northeast and Positive Image gives Lytes an opportunity to play year-round. It also gives him a chance to face some of the top athletes in the country.
"We (Positive Image) travel a lot," said Lytes, who has played at tournaments in Maryland, Penn State, Las Vegas and Texas, among other sites. "It gives me an opportunity to meet new people, and I think playing different teams from all over helps me improve."
Lytes led his AAU squad to several appearances in the final four throughout these national battles. In 2006, Positive Image won the championship during Penn State’s annual AAU tournament.
"It’s exciting playing for both teams," said Lytes. "I like traveling to play. Basketball is just my love. It’s all I ever wanted to do." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com