Photo by Emma Walker
By Angela Brunk
Altoona Midway senior Ava Tindle enters her final high school basketball season with a unique blend of responsibility, excitement, and determination. Though officially the team’s post player, Tindle plays “a little bit of everything” out of necessity since her team includes only seven players, making versatility essential for success. That responsibility has shaped her into a player who embraces any role her team needs.
Each year, the team sets both personal and collective goals during the first practice. This season, Tindle has set her sights on something she’s never done before. She wants to make a buzzer-beater shot. Her team’s shared goal is to communicate better, an area they’ve struggled with in past seasons but are committed to improving.
With only one new player joining the roster, Tindle is especially excited for their mid-season tournament, which they won for the first time last year. She hopes they can repeat that success and build even stronger chemistry.
Offseason development is a major part of Tindle’s growth. Her school hosts a three-day camp led by the Neosho County basketball coach, giving players a chance to focus on their weaknesses. For Tindle, that has always meant ball handling and shooting from the perimeter, skills that posts don’t often use in games. That’s why one of her proudest moments was hitting her first-ever three-pointer last season, a highlight she cherishes as much as any team accomplishment.
After graduation, Tindle plans to attend Neosho County Community College to pursue a nursing degree. Beyond basketball, she serves as FFA chapter president.
With heart, leadership, and a willingness to do anything for her team, Ava Tindle is poised to leave a lasting mark on her program.
