Haters of sports cliches rejoice. It appears there is an “I” in team after all.
Pendleton Heights senior Kellen Dunham is one of three players widely considered to be the front-runners for this season’s Indiana Mr. Basketball award.
The other two — Hamilton Southeastern’s Gary Harris and Park Tudor’s Yogi Ferrell — were named last week as participants in this spring’s McDonald’s All-American Game. Dunham was left out.
That doesn’t kill his chances to win the state’s most coveted individual honor, but it does inextricably tie those hopes to the Arabians’ postseason fortunes.
Ferrell, who has been on the state’s radar for nearly his entire high school career, already is a two-time state finalist. The Panthers also are the defending Class 2A state champions, and he could build a resume similar to last year’s winner — Washington’s Cody Zeller — with another crown this season.
While some voters might hold his smaller class competition against him, it is mitigated in part by Park Tudor’s victories over big schools such as North Central and Lawrence North this year. Ferrell also is headed to Indiana University in the fall, a factor often smiled upon in this race.
Harris likely is the best athlete in the state. He starred as a wide receiver on the Royals’ football team, and he is at least as impressive on the defensive end of the floor as he is on offense.
He’s committed to Michigan State, where he looks likely to become the latest native Hoosier to star for Spartans coach Tom Izzo.
Dunham, who is averaging more than 30 points per game, has been likened to legendary New Castle star Steve Alford — the 1983 Mr. Basketball winner. An online writer for CBS called Dunham the best high school shooter in the nation, and it’s unlikely anybody across the country has a quicker release.
Dunham played in one of the two all-star games pitting the state’s top juniors against the top seniors last spring. So his name is familiar to the electorate.
But his best chance to win over voters likely will come next month.
Pendleton Heights is ranked No. 5 both in The Associated Press media poll that is split by class and in the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association poll that ranks teams regardless of class. The Arabians are No. 6 in Class 4A in Jeff Sagarin’s respected computer rankings and No. 7 in the state overall.
At 18-2, they’ve won 11 consecutive games. And both losses have come against consensus No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern.
Pendleton Heights likely will get stiff competition from North Central Conference foes Richmond, New Castle and Anderson in the sectional. But if they survive for the second straight season, Dunham and PH will play the regional at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Dunham consistently has stated team goals are more important to him than any individual honor.
Now there is increasing reason to believe the ultimate prize for one is the quickest path to glory for the other.
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Contact George Bremer: 640-4831, george.bremer@heraldbulletin.com
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George Bremer: Dunham tied to Arabians
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