For Bayto Cokrlija, they were fond memories of formative years.

“It was probably when I was eight years old, playing with my dad down at Bryfogle Park,” Bayto said of time spent at the Berlinsville park with his dad, Sejo. “I used to always play there, probably every single day with my dad just for fun.

“I had the worst racket ever, but he would just bring me there every day to play.”

Those trips laid the foundation and set the framework for Cokrlija’s tennis career.

While those early moments were the easiest starting point, Bayto’s progress - and performance - lie in his passion for the sport.

Something that has been present all along.

“My dad got me and my brother (Bekim) into tennis really early on, and over time, I just really, really wanted to become a good tennis player,” said Bayto. “So now I just go play tennis whenever I feel like it. I don’t need someone to tell me to go play tennis; I just go whenever I feel like it, because I just really want to get better at it.”

And he has.

This past season - his second playing No. 1 singles for the Indians - Bayto advanced to the quarterfinals of the District 11 Class 2A singles tournament, and also earned a spot in the 2A doubles quarters with Bekim, who is a sophomore.

In addition to earning a victory in each of those postseason tournaments, Cokrlija also compiled an 11-0 singles record during the regular season as Lehighton went 9-3 overall and qualified for the district team tournament for the third year in a row.

Often unflappable on the court, he has taken the reins for a program that has continued to compile accolades in recent years.

And Cokrlija’s contributions on and off the court have helped the Tribe secure another honor, with the junior earning the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Boys Tennis Player of the Year for his play this past spring.

“He’s just such a hard worker,” said Lehighton head coach Cody Schuler, who also saw Aaron Miller earn Tennis Player of the Year honors in 2021 and 2022. “He’s so devoted to tennis. He plays all the time, he works at the club (Valley Royale) and plays non-stop with his brother (Bekim).

“His first year, I knew that he was going to be a great tennis player, and a great asset to the team. And he has just exceeded that with how hard he has worked and how much time he has put into it.”

That also included playing with Valley Royale in a Lehigh Valley Junior USTA League in the offseason this February, with the team capturing its division championship. Bayto played singles, boys doubles and mixed doubles throughout the league matches.

Last summer, Bayto won a 10-player Universal Tennis USA Tournament at Valley Royale.

“Over the past couple of years, and this past year especially, he’s just become a lot more confident,” Schuler said of Cokrlija. “Tennis is such a mental game. It’s easy to become your own worst opponent. He was really strong mentally this year. And that just sets a great example for Bekim and for the rest of the team.”

As the Tribe’s top singles player, Bayto knows he will be facing a tough test each time he takes the court.

Those experiences, along with his strength and conditioning, prepared the junior for an early challenge at this year’s District 11 singles tournament, where Cokrlija - who was seeded eighth - outlasted No. 9 seed Xavier Shive-Sanchez of Bethlehem Catholic 6-4, 6-4 in a match that lasted well over an hour.

“I would say it’s my speed,” said Bayto, who also participates in cross country in the fall. “I’m a quick player, and I can try to use my athleticism to beat an opponent. I’m able to keep pushing forward while some players might be getting tired. When you have those rallies that go back-and-forth for a long time, I feel like I have an advantage.”

Repeating his success as Lehighton moves from an independent to the Colonial League next season won’t be easy. But that doesn’t faze Cokrlija.

“My goal isn’t to go undefeated, it’s just to play great,” he said. “I just want to be able to play every single match really well, no matter if I win or lose. I just want to improve as a player, improve my confidence, improve my overall ability and become more consistent. I think I can do that, because I’ll put in the time and effort this summer.”

And just like those early days at Bryfogle Park, Bayto will always have plenty of support around him. That group includes Valley Royale’s Jenn Everett and Sam Lux, former Lehighton standout and Times News Tennis Player of the Year Tegan Durishin, family members, and friends.

“Sam and Jenn are always helping me out. I have a lot of friends like Tegan, who wants to help me get better, and my brother, who is there to play with me,” Bayto said with a smile. “I know my dad will always be there for me, and just so many people who have helped me along the way. They’re the main reason why I improved so much as a player. All of those things helped me become who I am now.”