Center Grove center Will Spellman (42) is averaging 9.8 points and 4.7 rebounds entering tonight’s county tournament semifinal game.
Daily Journal file photo
The breakout junior season being assembled by Will Spellman can be attributed to a variety of factors.
First and foremost, Center Grove’s starting center enjoyed an unprecedented amount of time leading up to the 2022-23 season to direct his focus toward all things basketball.
The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Spellman, a football player since third grade and a reserve tight end for the undefeated Class 6A state championship team as a sophomore, chose not to take part this past fall.
Though he likely would have factored into Center Grove’s offensive game-planning on the gridiron this past season as a blocker and receiver, Spellman doesn’t regret his choice.
“It really wasn’t that hard of a decision for me,” he said. “Just being able to have a basketball in my hands year-round, it’s made a tremendous difference.”
Spellman, the lone non-guard in the starting lineup, averages 9.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks for the Class 4A No. 5 Trojans (12-1) entering tonight’s Johnson County tournament semifinal against host Whiteland.
His emergence, and his versatility, give Center Grove options offensively.
“It took us emphasizing that we need to play inside out, and if we play through Will, the (perimeter) shots will be there,” Trojans coach Zach Hahn said. “I think it makes us difficult to figure out how you want to defend us because of Will.”
Like a lot of players his age, Spellman had to, as they say, grow into his body in terms of overall coordination. That included working to improve his eye-hand synchronization, footwork and overall comfort level at both ends of the floor.
Spellman has gained confidence close to the basket; he’s also able to step out and knock down 3-pointers (he’s 6 of 10 so far this season).
That wasn’t always the case.
“In the past, I struggled to make layups,” Spellman said. “It was difficult just to get my teammates to trust me. There were games in middle school where I would go 1 for 10 (shooting the basketball).”
As a sophomore, Spellman was five pounds lighter than he is now. However, his time in the weight room and attention to better cardiovascular fitness in the offseason is currently paying serious dividends.
In the semifinals of the Phil Cox Memorial tournament in Kokomo on December 30, Spellman finished with 14 points, three boards, two assists and a block in a 51-49 loss to the host Wildkats, led by 6-9 all-everything junior wing Flory Bidunga.
“Will is extremely flexible for his size,” Hahn said. “His willingness to work in the offseason has made a big difference. Last year, I don’t think he could dunk a basketball, and now he’s getting one or two a game.
“His athleticism is obviously better. Just in general, his skill level has increased. Will is a relentless worker, and that obviously tells the whole story.”
Spellman is one of three juniors starting for the Trojans, the others being wing Joey Schmitz and point guard Jalen Bundy.
While this spells great potential once the 2023-24 season begins, Spellman loves being a major contributor for a squad led by senior guards Marcus Ankney and Ethan McComb — and one considered to be a threat to make a long run once the postseason begins.
“We’ve got a lot of talent on this team. Depth off the bench, and guys who can score 20 or more points in a game,” Spellman said. “Having all those skilled players, a lot of times it allows me to do what I want to do.”
