Muddy River Showcase Spotlight: Palmyra’s Tyler Banta

The Muddy River Showcase featuring 40 of the area’s top senior basketball players from Illinois and Missouri takes place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door.

PALMYRA, Mo. — Tyler Banta can shoot. Always has been able to, always will.

It’s the rest of his well-rounded game that piqued the interest of the Central Methodist University men’s basketball coaching staff. Banta, who recently wrapped up his senior year at Palmyra, can distribute, play defense and attack off the dribble.

It’s his complete game that earned him honorable mention All-Clarence Cannon Conference honors last winter when the Panthers went 21-8 and reached the Class 3 district championship game.

Banta will represent Palmyra on the Missouri squad for the second Muddy River Showcase, taking place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center.

Here are six things you should know about Tyler Banta:

Where you plan to go to college: Central Methodist University

What you plan to study: Physical education

Reason you wear your number: I wear No. 5 because my dad wore it.

Favorite high school basketball memory: Senior Night against Monroe City.

Best piece of advice you have ever received: Part of being mentally tough means staying stubbornly positive and optimistic despite adversity — Palmyra coach Brian Rea.

Best advice you’d give younger teammates: To not take it for granted because there’s nothing like getting to play in front of your hometown.