The Golden Eagles boys basketball team finished the 2024 season just one win short of the PIAA State Tournament. After a disappointing loss to Bishop Guilfoyle in the district playoff consolation game, the returning varsity players committed to working hard in the off-season to bring a district title to Tyrone in 2025.

The varsity players took an important step toward that goal by competing in the Hollidaysburg YMCA summer league.

The Tyrone varsity players went 8-3 and finished as runners-up, losing a nailbiter in the championship game to last season’s playoff rival, Bishop Guilfoyle.

Despite not winning the YMCA title, Head Coach Luke Rhoades and Assistant Coach Joe Laukatis were pleased with what they saw from their players in the summer.

“The good turnout and consistency throughout the summer is going to pay off for our team in February and March,” Laukatis said.

While the varsity team was playing in Hollidaysburg, the JV team played in Altoona in the Building Two league.

The JV team had ups and downs but showed solid improvement from the beginning of the summer to the end. Coach Rhoades was glad to see the team progress over the season and is looking for these players to provide much-needed depth during the varsity season.

“I think the team committed to our off-season workouts and two leagues we played in and were competitive in both of them, I think the next few months will be important for conditioning for the upcoming season,” Rhoades said.

One of the main focuses of the off-season work has been defensive intensity and offensive skills.

“We have made a lot of improvements over the summer. We had a productive summer league and have focused on getting better each time we step in the gym,” senior guard Sam Crilly said.

Going into his second season as the boy’s Heach Coach, Rhoades is focusing on how he can get the team over the district playoff hump and win the first district championship for Tyrone in 24 years.

Last year the Golden Eagles went 17-8 but lost four of those games by single digits. In two of those losses, the Eagles had at least a 10-point lead so one focus for the upcoming season will be getting better at closing out games.

“We need to play more consistent defense and control the board,” Rhoades said.

Throughout the rest of the fall, the team will continue working out and getting better. The workouts consist of ball handling, shooting, and 5 on 5  play.

The team has had consistent workouts of 10-plus players each time. The workouts are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Any boys interested in playing this winter should stop in the Athletic Office for schedules and paperwork.