By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – And so it begins.
Given a best-case choice, most basketball coaches would prefer to start a new season with a confident, successful step. Work into something more difficult after some wins and momentum. Bedford North Lawrence, one of the lords of the rings, is not most programs, and the Stars do not have that competitive luxury as they prepare for the first phase of the 2021-22 campaign.
With ominous clouds gathering, BNL will charge into well-fortified enemy territory for their debut. The Stars, ranked No.4 in the Class 4A preseason poll, will visit Mooresville on Friday night. Nothing easy ever happens on this road trip.
The Pioneers, mentored by one of the top coaches in state history, have already broken the seal on their new season, opening with an impressive 56-36 triumph over Northview on Tuesday night. That’s one of several advantages they will own as they battle one of the preseason picks to contend for major championships.
BNL, with two returning starters from last year’s 22-3 march, certainly have talent, starting with super sophomore Chloe Spreen and quicksilver junior guard Karsyn Norman in the starring roles. Spreen, one of the coveted recruiting targets in the nation, averaged team highs of 14.8 points and 5.5 rebounds a year ago. Norman, also a focus among Div. I scouts, added 9.5 points and 3.2 assists. Those numbers will likely jump as BNL adjusts to a new lineup and a reconstituted supporting cast.
“We’re very athletic,” BNL coach Jeff Allen said. “From that standpoint, we can still play fast offensively. That will cause people some problems. Some of my best players are at their best in the open floor. If we can get stops and get out to run, we can put pressure on people.
“The chemistry, which we try to preach about BNL basketball, this team has great chemistry about them. Their work ethic is really good, and they want each other to be successful. We’ll have to have that.”
The rest of the BNL lineup will include senior Carlee Kern, junior Mallory Pride and sophomore Madisyn Bailey. The substitution rotations will start with senior Ella Turner and junior Emma Crane. They will have quickness and toughness, they will lack size and big-game experience as the season begins with a tough road test.
Mooresville coach Mark Hurt (who ranks ninth in state history with 473 career wins) always has a gritty group, and this season is no exception. Senior Maddie Denny scored 22 points in the opening win over Northview, while sophomore center Rachel Harshman added 13 points.
“This one, you’ll find out right away if your kids are ready,” Allen said. “I don’t mind that. The more challenging it is, the more feedback we’ll get on where our weaknesses are. It will be challenging up there. They have a great program, those kids play with a lot of pride and play hard. We’ll have to really execute well.
“Their style is really rugged, very disciplined. Denny is a skilled guard who can score in a lot of ways, and Harshman is a nice post player who is developing. We’ll have to work harder on the interior and depend on our teammates to be there to help. We know we’ll struggle with that all year. We are athletic, which gives us an edge.”
BNL won last year’s clash 53-42, with Chloe McKnight scoring 15 points and Spreen totaling 13. The Pioneers had 20 turnovers. But that was in the comfortable surroundings of BNL Fieldhouse. BNL has lost two of its last three trips to Mooresville, including a 55-50 meltdown two years ago. The Stars had a 7-point lead in the fourth quarter of that one and let it slip away.
“This is one we want to get,” Norman said. “I don’t want that to happen again. Nobody wants to start on a loss. We have people looking at us thinking we’re not as good as we were. I don’t want to let them think that. We’re young. But I think it will be fun. It’s a new experience.”
BNL is coming off a quality performance against the Indianapolis Homeschool Wildcats in the final preseason scrimmage. The Stars prevailed 60-48 as Spreen scored 22 points and Norman added 16.
“That was a great scrimmage for us because their players are very similar to Mooresville,” Allen said. “They were strong, played hard, played physical. That was a great warm-up. So valuing possessions on the road, rebounding on the road, if we do those two things well, I like our chances.
“It comes down to being able to rebound. Two years ago, we lost a close game because we got out-competed on the boards. We’ve been stressing that. We have to fight for every rebound. If we do that, it puts us in good position. If we don’t, we’ll be struggling.”
BNL at MOORESVILLE
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 0-0, ranked No.4 in Class 4A; Mooresville 1-0
Last meeting: Last year at BNL, the Stars clipped the Pioneers 53-42. Chloe McKnight had 15 points and Chloe Spreen totaled 13 for the Stars. Mooresville had 20 turnovers. Addi Shafer and Kirsten Dove had 8 points each for Mooresville.
Last year’s story: Stars veer off Main Street
Game notes: Mooresville coach Mark Hurt has won 473 career games (ranking ninth in state history) as he starts his 29th season. BNL has lost two of its last three trips to Mooresville.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Chloe Spreen 5-9 So.
F – Carlee Kern 5-8 Sr.
F – Mallory Pride 5-8 Jr.
G – Madisyn Bailey 5-8 So.
G – Karsyn Norman 5-6 Jr.
Mooresville Pioneers
F – Abby Young 5-9 Sr.
F – Kalyn Bunch 6-0 So.
C – Rachel Harshman 5-11 So.
G – Maddie Denny 5-6 Sr.
G – Ally Graber 5-9 Sr.
