By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – The definition of juggernaut is “a huge, powerful and overwhelming force.” The accompanying picture should be Bedford North Lawrence’s team photo.
The second-ranked Stars, with three impressive blowout victories to start the 2022-23 campaign, have been unstoppable thus far, winning by an unfathomable and unsustainable 41.7 points. They’ve done so by forcing an incredible 28.7 turnovers per contest. Any bobbled dribble, any loose ball, any weak pass, starts an offensive firestorm.
BNL will unleash its devastating attack at Bloomington South on Tuesday night. The Panthers (1-1) usually present a headache problem, with their toughness and tenacity. The Stars, even with their hurricane of momentum, are expecting another test of will.
“Any time you play South, you know what you’re going to get,” BNL coach Jeff Allen said. “You get kids that are hard-nosed, disciplined, they play the game the right way. It’s about us being disciplined. We want to pressure them, but we can’t lose our discipline and foul, get out of position, or they’ll make you pay.
“We’ll have to execute our stuff. They’ll play hard at home. It will be our speed and pressure. If we play well, it will be a problem for them. We always have to play well up there. It’s a tough place to play.”
South started with a 54-34 victory over Edgewood, then suffered a 58-53 loss to Columbus East. The Panthers will feature senior forward Caitlin Heim (16.0) and senior guard Mya Lawrence (9.5) as they look to rebound from last season’s struggles with more experience and the addition of a talented freshman class.
BNL won last year’s clash 57-22, forcing 31 turnovers, and that was only the beginning of South’s problems while going 1-14 before finally finding a foothold. South finished 5-19 but returns four starters (including junior Abbie Lucas, who scored 12 against the Mustangs).
The Stars will counter with Chloe Spreen (20.0 points), Karsyn Norman (17.3) and Mallory Pride (12.3) as the leaders of one of the state’s top scoring clubs (72.3, despite ending two games with the running clock for the mercy rule).
“Playing BNL is always a fun game,” South coach Larry Winters said. “You get to play one of the best programs in the state. So that’s not only a challenge in itself. But the program features Indiana All-Stars and Miss Basketball prospects consistently, to go along with great coaching. I expect them, with the talent they have, to get into whomever they play, get it out and go on the offensive side.”
BNL at BLOOMINGTON SOUTH
When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 3-0, ranked No.2 in Class 4A; Bloomington South 1-1
Last meeting: Last year at BNL, the Stars forced 31 turnovers while blasting the Panthers 57-22. Chloe Spreen had 17 points for BNL, Caitlin Heim had 8 points for South.
Previous game story: Defense is the law
Game notes: BNL has won 11 straight in the series. The Stars are fifth in the state in scoring (72.3) and seventh in winning margin (41.7).
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Chloe Spreen 5-9 Jr.
F – Mallory Pride 5-8 Sr.
G – Madisyn Bailey 5-8 Jr.
G – Karsyn Norman 5-6 Sr.
G – Emma Brown 5-5 Sr.
Bloomington South Panthers
F – Abbie Lucas 5-11 Jr.
F – Molli Lucas 5-9 So.
F – Caitlin Heim 5-9 Sr.
G – Mya Lawrence 5-7 Sr.
G – Carlie Pedersen 5-7 Sr.
