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02/09/2022 11:00 PMHeading into his junior year, Tim Case had a growth spurt that resulted in him changing positions on the court. In addition to growing taller, Tim has also developed into a stronger all-around player and become a key contributor for the East Haven boys’ basketball team as a senior.
Tim began playing basketball at the age of 4. Tim had tried out several different sports, including football, swimming, and baseball, but as someone who’s always been a competitive athlete, Tim found that winning in basketball always felt the greatest.
“I played a lot of sports when I was younger. Basketball I liked the most. I’ve been playing ever since,” says Tim. “I’m competitive. I like to win. I liked winning in basketball, and it kept me going.”
After being introduced to the sport by his father Tyson, Tim started playing in East Haven’s Biddy Basketball league, continuing through 8th grade. From 6th to 8th grade, Tim also competed in the town’s travel league.
With plenty of experience under his belt, Tim felt ready and was confident as he entered high school. He played for Yellowjackets’ freshman team during his first season. Tim felt that he had a good year and was prepared to take on a larger role as he moved through the program.
In his sophomore year, Tim made the JV team and began sitting on the varsity bench. Going into his junior season, he was slated for the same role. Up to this point, Tim had only played guard. Early on in his career, Tim mostly looked to shoot the ball.
By the time his junior year arrived, Tim had grown to 6-feet tall. While he still played guard, Tim also started seeing more time at the forward position that season. Tim was now much more than just a shooter and was looking to do everything else. As he saw his skills improve, Tim’s confidence improved, helping him make a full-time leap to the varsity team in his senior season.
“When I was younger, I just liked to shoot a lot. I didn’t do anything else. I was just a shooter,” Tim says. “When I grew, I started doing more on the court. I was going to go the basket and do everything else besides shooting. I became an all-around player when I got taller.”
Now a senior, Tim is a key member of an East Haven team that entered this week with a record of 10-5 and has clinched its spot in states. While it means a lot to be a varsity contributor, Tim says that it feels even better to share the court with a group of guys with whom he’s been playing basketball for a long time.
“A lot of these kids I’ve been playing with since 4th grade. I’ve grown up playing with them. It has been pretty fun,” says Tim. “I think we’re all having great senior seasons. I love it.”
Frank Lyon is in his first season as head coach of the East Haven boys’ basketball team. Coach Lyon describes Tim as a fiery competitor and a player who helps keep the Easties together.
“Timmy is the straw that stirs the drink. He’s our glue guy and an incredibly important piece to what we’re trying to accomplish this season,” Lyon says. “He’s a great teammate and competitor.”
In addition to playing basketball, Tim has also competed for the East Haven baseball team since his freshman year. Tim says that playing both sports has helped him gain a better understanding of team chemistry, while also allowing him to make more friends.
Playing his entire career in East Haven, Tim feels honored to represent his hometown. As he closes out his senior basketball season, Tim is excited to continue repping the blue and gold and wants to help the Easties finish the year strong.
“It means a lot. I just like representing East Haven,” says Tim. “I like representing Coach Lyon. I think he’s a great coach. I just want to keep winning.”