By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Finding talking points and improvement topics can be difficult for a basketball team with a sparkling 19-2 record, and the state’s No.4 ranking in Class 4A, as the regular season grinds to a close. Getting a little late now as the sun sets on the 2021-22 campaign and the postseason is about to dawn.
For Bedford North Lawrence, even with all the excellence and superb play, there are still issues to address, points to ponder. The main one is first-quarter offensive efficiency, and overall shooting percentages, as the Stars prepare to visit Martinsvllle on Thursday night.
Slow starts have been a trend. That came to the forefront again in the home finale against Salem, when the Stars were an icy 3-for-14 from the floor and trailed. That similar scenario has happened other times (Columbus East, Warren Central, Silver Creek, New Albany and Fremd, plus other games where BNL still led after a sketchy shooting start). It’s enough to cause a concern. If it happens in the one-and-done pressure of the state tournament, it could be fatal.
“We struggle offensively in the first quarter,” BNL coach Jeff Allen said. “That is our problem. For whatever reason, whether it’s shot selection or confidence or ball movement, we have to get off to a better start. We’ve got a few days to work on that and talk about that. Defensively we play pretty well most of the time.”
BNL’s starting lineup doesn’t feature anyone shooting better than 41 percent, and the Stars shoot only 30 percent from long range. They’ve been explosive, with Chloe Spreen (16.0) and Karsyn Norman (14.6) leading the way, with Madisyn Bailey, Carlee Kern and Mallory Pride all contributing 6 points – and the ability for more when necessary.
The strength has been the opposite end. BNL is allowing only 37 points per game, with six opponents limited to 32 or fewer, and forcing 17 turnovers per outing.
“This is one of the best defensive teams I’ve had in my time here, from the standpoint of intensity, athleticism, how they understand positioning,” Allen said. “They’re really hard to play against in the halfcourt. The lack of size is the only thing. People with size throw over the top and post us up. Other than that, we’re really hard to score against.”
That doesn’t bode well for the Artesians (7-13).
Martinsville has struggled to score, totaling only 38.2 points per game. The Artesians have been held to 25 or fewer five times, although senior guards Delaney Wolfe and Kearsten Willen (who hit 9 3-pointers against Terre Haute South) demand attention.
The Artesians have had their own problems, starting when two projected starters from last year’s 16-5 squad transferred just six days before school started. They endured a 10-game losing streak and a two-week virus pause. They showed some toughness with a recent four-game winning streak, which ended with Tuesday’s 70-30 loss to No.2 Franklin. Thanks to a late scheduling crunch with the virus postponements, Martinsville will be playing its third game in four days.
“It’s a good sectional prelude for next week with the short prep time,” Allen said. “Hopefully we come out and play well. I’d like to see us firing in the first quarter and not relying on our defense.”
BNL won the last meeting 53-36 in the 2017 regional semifinal. Last year’s game was cancelled because of school closing.
BNL at MARTINSVILLE
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 19-2, ranked No.4 in Class 4A; Martinsville 7-13
Sagarin ratings: BNL 98.06; Martinsville 61.62
Last meeting: BNL prevailed 53-36 in the 2017 regional semifinal at BNL. Jorie Allen scored 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for the Stars.
Game notes: Martinsville will be playing its third game in four days. The Artesians have scored 25 or fewer points five times this season. Last year’s game at BNL was cancelled because of weather.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Chloe Spreen 5-9 So.
F – Carlee Kern 5-8 Sr.
F – Mallory Pride 5-8 So.
G – Madisyn Bailey 5-8 So.
G – Karsyn Norman 5-6 Jr.
Martinsville Artesians
F – Ryan Owens 5-9 Sr.
F – Mackenzie Martin 5-10 Sr.
C – Haley Polston 6-2 Sr.
G – Delaney Wolfe 5-8 Sr.
G – Kearsten Willen 5-10 Sr.
