Tyler McQuaid: “Tough Times Don’t Last”

Tyler McQuaid posing outside of Bergen Catholic High School.

At the start of Bergen Catholic High School’s 2022 – 2023 varsity basketball season, sophomore Tyler McQuaid found himself stuck at the end of the bench, getting little playing time as the team’s fourth guard.  Most players would have lost confidence or given up hope.

Not Tyler. 

He continued to work hard in practices, trying to prove that he deserved to be on the court.  “In practice, I was just a dog. I wasn’t letting anyone take what I wanted,” Tyler said, even though he was competing for playing time against teammates that he referred to as “my guys.”  As the season progressed, the coaches noticed Tyler’s effort and gave him a chance.

By the end of the season, Tyler had become the starting point guard and a major contributor for a team that made it all the way to the finals of the New Jersey Non-Public state tournament.

Tyler is an example of a player who did not give up on his goals.

“The kid has fought adversity since he’s been at Bergen,” Bergen Catholic Assistant Coach Anthony Uribe said.  “He’s resilient when it comes to his goals and plays every second with his heart,” Uribe added.

To understand the source of Tyler’s resiliency, we have to go back to the very beginning.

The Early Years

Tyler and his older brother Dillon together as kids. Photo provided by Tyler McQuaid.

Growing up in Maywood, New Jersey, Tyler developed his tenacity like many younger brothers, through ferocious one-on-one battles with his older brother Dillon in their backyard.  The brothers were so competitive their games would frequently result in punches or tears.  “It was tears, it was blood, it was everything,” Tyler said.

This sibling rivalry and Tyler’s love for basketball began when Tyler was three years old and his brother Dillon was six.  At his grandparents’ house, Tyler’s uncle “used to make me and my brother battle it out.  And every day, we’d just go at it.  My brother used to bury me, and that made me better and pushed me to where I am today,” Tyler said.

Prior to high school, Tyler played against some of the best competition in the area for AAU squads including G State Bounce, Ring City Elite, and Playaz/Legacy.  He even had a 55 point game in seventh grade, which he calls the highlight of his basketball life.

Despite his success, Tyler said that he struggled with confidence because he was so hard on himself.  His coaches helped him get over his lack of confidence.  “My coaches kept telling me you’re good, just let it go.  Next play,” Tyler said. 

Jason Coleman, who coached Tyler as a middle schooler for G State Bounce, was impressed with Tyler’s dedication to the team and his ability to make great plays in high-pressure situations.  Coach Coleman also praised Tyler for “his character and kindness, making him a well-liked and respected player among his coaches and teammates.”

Tyler posing with a trophy his AAU team won. Photo provided by Tyler McQuaid.

After years of losing to his bigger brother in one-on-one, Tyler finally beat Dillon when Tyler was in the seventh grade. The moment was a source of immense pride for Tyler.  “I went right inside and told my Dad.  It was a great day for me.  I bragged about that for a week,” Tyler said.

Tyler and Dillon may have once been foes on their backyard court, but they are now inseparable best friends.  “Dillon taught me a lot, and he made me the man I am today,” Tyler said.  Although his own high school playing days are over, Dillon continues to train Tyler, putting him through tough workouts and pinpointing specific details that Tyler needs to work on. 

There is no one who wants Tyler to succeed more than Dillon. “Seeing Tyler grow into the player he is, has made me such a proud brother,” Dillon said.  “From countless hours in the gym together day after day and seeing it all come together makes me so happy for him,” Dylan continued.

Tyler also gives a lot of credit to his parents Colm and Jeannie for “keeping my head straight.  They don’t let me get too high, don’t let me get too low,” Tyler said. “If I don’t feel like working out, my Mom will wake me up and be like ‘Tyler you have to stay disciplined,’” he said.

Bergen Catholic

Tyler warming up prior to a game his sophomore season.

Tyler grew up watching Bergen Catholic basketball games since he was a little kid.  His Dad, who also loves basketball and played at the high school level, used to take him to all of the team’s games.  “I remember every single [Bergen Catholic] game.  I was there at every game.  Playing at Bergen and wearing the Bergen uniform means everything to me,” Tyler said.  He recalled that the first high school game that he ever attended was between Bergen Catholic and Don Bosco, and Tyler really wanted to be a part of that storied rivalry.  To feel all those emotions he witnessed by his heroes on the court.

So when Tyler made the Bergen Catholic varsity team, it was a dream come true.

But as the team’s fourth guard, Tyler said that he didn’t figure into any of the team’s plans.  “I kept my head down, I didn’t want to transfer.  This is where I wanted to be,” he said.  Tyler’s Dad had gone to Bergen Catholic his freshman year, and according to Tyler, “he said the biggest mistake he ever made was leaving.”

The turning point for Tyler this season came during a January game against Ramapo, which pulled off a 75 - 63 upset.  Tyler got zero minutes during that game.  He was upset and frustrated.  Said Tyler: “I know how hard I worked to get to this school.  It motivated me like crazy.  My parents kept my head straight, just told me to keep working, my time’s gonna come, and eventually it came.”

Declan Wucherpfennig, one of Tyler’s best friends on the team, noticed Tyler’s extra effort. “Every practice he would bring the most energy,” Declan said.

Tyler got his chance against Paramus Catholic in the next game two days later.  “I was a leader out there and set the offense up and played my game.  Moving forward after that, I kind of just took off,” Tyler said.  Bergen Catholic won that game in a 32 point rout.

The next day, Tyler got more minutes in another solid outing against Saddle River Day School, providing lockdown pressure in Bergen Catholic’s frenetic full court defense. 

Soon after, Tyler cracked the starting lineup.  As a point guard, he views his strengths as being able to set up his teammates and knock down a shot when open.

Tyler directing the offense in a game against Saint Joseph’s on January 10, 2023.

Tyler found his stride at the Bergen County Jamboree, the county’s annual high school basketball tournament that features the top public and private schools.  According to Tyler, “the Jamboree means everything to me.  I used to go to every single Jamboree game.”

Tyler’s assignment in the semi-finals against Ramapo was to slow down Peyton Seals, an all Bergen County First Teamer who had torched Bergen Catholic for 29 points in their previous matchup.  The game in which Tyler hadn’t played a single minute. 

Tyler didn’t overlook the challenge.  “Peyton’s a great player.  He shoots the hell out of it, so he was hard to guard.  Running around screens trying to chase him was not that fun,” Tyler said.

Still, Tyler hit his first shot of the game and after that, “I knew it was going to be a good game,” he said.  Tyler finished the game with 15 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds in a tournament he had once fantasized being a part of, and Bergen Catholic got its revenge 71 – 57.

But in the finals, Bergen Catholic was blown out by Don Bosco 71 – 49, its third consecutive loss of the season to its biggest rival.  Don Bosco was having a dominant season, led by junior Dylan Harper, the number two ranked player in his class in the entire country.

Bergen Catholic got a fourth and last opportunity against Don Bosco in the state tournament semi-final.  The game was played at Don Bosco, an intimidating venue with a vocal student body section where Bergen Catholic hadn’t won in ten years.  Tyler said, “No one believed in us that game.  People telling me, texting me ‘what’s the point of even playing, you’re gonna lose’.”

An important pre-game moment came when former Bergen Catholic standout Taj Benning addressed the team.  Tyler said that Taj told the players that they weren’t playing team-oriented “Bergen basketball”.  The message resonated with Tyler.  During the game, “we just let it all out.  We played together,” Tyler said.  Bergen Catholic edged Don Bosco 76 – 70 in the surprising win.  Tyler contributed 14 points and played an instrumental role in the outcome.

It was a fairy tale ending.  Almost.

Bergen Catholic would go on to lose the state championship to Saint Peter’s by one point after leading at the half by ten.

For Tyler, the loss was devastating but became motivation to win it all next season.  Tyler had come a long way during a season he described as a “roller coaster.”  He believed in himself, put his heart and soul into the game, and eventually was able to play a significant role in his team’s success.  He even fought through a wrist injury the entire season that he later discovered was a broken bone.

Said his brother Dillon: “He stayed the course and never doubted himself.  The most important part was just showing up.”

Tyler with his older brother Dillon today.

Tyler made it clear that his main objective is winning titles, like the Jamboree and the state championship.  But as far as personal goals, he said: “I want to leave a legacy at Bergen that I wasn’t just another player.”

I asked Tyler if he had any advice for bench players trying to make an impression.  “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Keep your head down and keep working.  Don’t let anyone discourage you,” Tyler responded.

“Tough times don’t last,” Tyler added.