Chipola College Indians and Lady Indians Gear Up for the 2024-25 Season
By: Shelia Mader
The Chipola College men’s basketball team is setting its sights on another national title run after capturing the 2024-25 NJCAA Panhandle Conference championship.
Head coach Donnie Tyndall, entering his sixth season at the helm, will lead a completely revamped roster this year.
“The biggest thing is we didn’t end the season the way we wanted to,” Tyndall said. “In today’s game, guys come and go. It doesn’t matter if it’s junior college or the SEC. That’s just part of college basketball now.”
The Indians closed out last season with a 24–8 record, falling in the opening round of the NJCAA National Tournament. Despite the turnover, Tyndall’s 2025–26 squad remains committed to maintaining Chipola’s championship standard.
Under Tyndall’s leadership, Chipola basketball has become a dynasty, claiming five straight Panhandle Conference titles, winning the 18th Region 8 championship in school history, and earning five consecutive trips to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament.
“We’re always going to stick to what we do, defending and rebounding,” Tyndall said. “That’s the base of our program. In five years, we’ve been in the top three nationally in defense every year, and number one in the country three of those years.”
Sophomore transfer Demarco Middleton says the team’s chemistry is already coming together.
“I transferred here because of the team environment,” Middleton said. “Coach Tyndall’s got a great résumé, and the guys that came in with me, I think we’ve got good chemistry. I feel like we’ll connect and compete.”
The Indians will open their season on the road in Tavares, Florida, against Richard Bland College. Over the coming months, Chipola aims to build momentum, continue its defensive dominance, and make another push toward a 21st trip to Hutchinson, Kansas. Competing in the NJCAA Panhandle Conference, widely regarded as one of the toughest in junior college basketball, the Indians are ready for the challenge.