HS boys basketball Fab 15: No. 14 Tindley

We continue on the march to No. 1 with the No. 14 team in our high school basketball Preseason Fab 15. If you missed it, Noblesville was No. 15. Up next:

No. 14 – Tindley

With one of the state’s top juniors leading the way, Tindley could be on the verge of a special season.

“Our goal is that we want to win a state championship,” coach Bobby Wonnell said. “We haven’t been able to do that. We’ve been chipping at it a little bit, getting better and better.”

Tindley built on a 17-win season and first sectional title in 2015 with a 22-6 season and another sectional title last year. The Tigers advanced to the Class A regional championship before losing eventual state runner-up Bloomfield, 51-37.

The good news for Wonnell is that all but one of his top players – graduated senior Courtland Crenshaw (5.5 ppg, 5.3 rebounds) – is back. At the top of the list is 6-3 junior guard Eric Hunter, a first team All-City selection as a sophomore.

Hunter, who already has high-major offers from Butler, Purdue, Creighton, Nebraska and Xavier, averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.5 assists last season. He shot 56 percent from the field and 42.3 percent (58-for-138) from the 3-point line.

Hunter had six games of 30 points or more, including a 50-point night against Washington.

“As a head coach, he’s the kind of best player that you want with his work habits,” Wonnell said. “He’s continued to grow as a confident guy. He’s in no way, shape or form, arrogant. He’s a willing passer. I tell him sometimes that you have to go out there and be a little more aggressive.”

Hunter, who also has offers from Ball State, East Carolina, IPFW, IUPUI, Kent State and Toledo, said he feels stronger attacking the basket than he has in the past. He shot 135 free throws last year (making 76 percent), a number that could rise this year.

“I’ve gotten stronger so I really trust myself going and finishing in the lane now,” Hunter said. “I’m finishing better and getting it over the bigger guards.”

Joining him in the backcourt is another junior, Hunter White. The 6-2 guard missed all of his freshman year with a knee injury, but returned to average 13.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals as a sophomore. White is picking up interest from mid-major Division I programs and Division II schools.

“Hunter is a gym rat,” Wonnell said. “He’s a slasher. He’s a playmaker. If he played on a lot of teams, he’d be the No. 1 guy. By the end of the season, I think a lot of people will realize how good he really is.”

White was a frequent visitor to the free-throw line last year, averaging 6.2 attempts per game. One of his offseason goals was to make better use of those attempts. White shot 53.2 percent (92-for-173) last season.

“I didn’t shoot very well from the free-throw line,” White said. “That’s not good for a guard. I have to get my average up.”

White produced five games last year of 20 points or more. He and Hunter are close friends, adding to their on-court chemistry.

“I think our talent and skill complements each other really well,” Hunter said. “Last year (White) got put into the mix and he was really good. I think he’ll be even better this year. I think we’re both very unselfish and take good shots.”

Junior Joe Johnson (3.2 ppg, 3.3 assists) returns for his third season as a starter at point guard. Another key returner is K.J. Coleman, a sophomore guard who averaged 10.8 points, 1.6 assists and 1.5 steals as a freshman. The 5-9 Coleman was also one of the team’s top shooters, hitting 40 percent (39-for-98) from the 3-point line.

“The thing that makes us dangerous is that we have ballhandlers at every position,” Wonnell said. “Speeding up the game doesn’t necessarily bother us. We can handle it.”

Tyler Young and Chris Murff, both 6-3 seniors, also return as experienced players. Murff averaged 3.5 points and 3.7 rebounds last year and Young averaged 1.1 points and 2.9 rebounds.

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“They can both catch and shoot in their range and they can dribble to make plays,” Wonnell said. “We’re a whole team. The ball won’t stick. If we have a drive or shot, we’ll take it but if we don’t we’ll pass.”

Tindley played in the City tournament for the first time last year, losing to Class 2A state runner-up Howe in the quarterfinals by five points. The Tigers will get another shot in the City this year and will also play in the Richmond tournament with a chance to play a few larger schools.

“I’m proud of what we’ve done but it’s relative success,” Wonnell said. “Our goal is that we want to win a state championship. We haven’t been able to do that. But you can’t worry about winning state in November.”

Why Tindley could be higher: Hunter and White are explosive, Division I-caliber guards. They aren’t just piling up stats against inferior competition. They can play. The supporting cast is solid, too.

Why Tindley could be lower: Not much size here. Hunter and White were the top two rebounders last year and probably will be again.

Circle the date: Dec. 27-29. Tindley should bring a pretty good record into the Richmond tournament, where it could see teams like Richmond, Connersville, Portage, Bedford North Lawrence, Franklin Central or some combination of that group. The Tigers should earn a solid seed for the City tournament, which begins on Jan. 17.

Call IndyStar reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.