By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – By any measuring stick, Bedford North Lawrence ranks among the elite programs in Indiana. The number of banners (four state titles), Miss Basketballs, Mental Attitude Award winners, and Indiana All-Stars are evidence of excellence and extraordinary tradition.
Add another number to the list. BNL will make a record fifth appearance in the prestigious Hall of Fame Classic, the premier showcase tournament that shines a spotlight on the state’s top teams and individual stars. The event, staged in the shadow of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame at gigantic New Castle Fieldhouse, features the best of the best.
Class 4A No.4 BNL (13-2) will clash with 3A No.7 Mishawaka Marian (12-2) in the opening game on Thursday at 11 a.m. 4A No.8 Noblesville (11-3 and the defending 4A state champion) will face East Central (11-5) in the second game. The first-round losers will collide in the consolation game at 6 p.m., with the winners to battle for the title in the following finale.
The Stars will compete in the Classic for the fifth time (the third in the last nine years) in its 39-year history, more impressive when considering Classic rules dictate a minimum of four years between invitations. They will chase their third championship.
“It just amazes me that we continue to have the type kids we have, the success we have,” BNL coach Jeff Allen said. “It comes down to the history of what BNL has done, the kids we have in the community and their desire to be Lady Stars, to excel in basketball. It’s amazing to have in a small community. It’s been a lot of fun.”
BNL’s invite is based on team expectations and star power. The Stars feature Butler recruit and All-Star candidate Karsyn Norman (16.3 points, 4.6 assists) and potential 2024 Miss Basketball candidate Chloe Spreen (20.5 points. 5.5 rebounds). But BNL also has the complete package of pieces to contend for the grand prize, and this tournament test will further expose that.
“The challenge is mirroring a regional atmosphere,” Allen said. “You’re playing two high-level teams in one day, it’s the travel and keeping the girls focused. So it’s a great training tool for the postseason.”
Mishawaka Marian, making its first Classic appearance, is expected to make a deep tournament run in 3A this season, with nemesis South Bend Washington now competing in 4A. The Knights feature Western Kentucky recruit Nevaeh Foster (26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds), although their second main scorer (Junior All-Star Makaya Porter, who totaled 19.0 points and 9.7 boards a year ago) is still out while recovering from a knee injury in the spring.
Foster has already exploded for 42 (against Portage) and 38 (New Prairie) points this season, and she’s quite the long-range weapon. Senior guard Aliyah Hershberger is averaging 11.5 points, and senior Shayla Alexander is contributing 10.4 while also taking the role as defensive stopper, but Foster will demand the most attention.
“Nevaeh is a special player,” Marian coach Steve Scott said. “She is a gym rat who has continuously worked hard to improve her game. She has unlimited range, and if you come out on her she will go around you. She has really stepped up her game with Makaya being out until January. She is making her teammates better distributing the ball and can play any position on the floor.”
“Outstanding player,” Allen said. “She can score at all levels, she has really deep range. She takes a good majority of their shots, so the offense runs through her. We’ll try to make things difficult for her. You have to be ready for her.”
BNL is coming off an up-and-down week. The Stars stumbled against Noblesville in their two-game Pete Pritchett Limestone Classic opener, then bounced back to club No.7 Lake Central the next day. Marian’s losses came against 4A No.1 South Bend Washington (76-29) and 4A No.6 Fort Wayne Northrop (62-49).
“The good thing is, after we watched film, we turned the ball over against Noblesville, we didn’t rebound, and we still had a chance to be in the game,” Allen said of the setback. “That says a lot. We feel we’re a much better team than that, so there’s things we can fix and adjust, play at a better level. We did that against Lake Central.
“Each team causes different challenges. We’ll just be happy to be playing the night game, if we get past Mishawaka Marian.”
Noblesville vs. East Central: When the Millers were invited to the Classic for the third time, they were coming off the state championship and were expected to showcase Connecticut recruit Ashlynn Shade, almost a certain lock for Miss Basketball. While that storyline changed when Shade unexpectedly transferred to La Lumiere prep school, Noblesville is still dangerous and dynamic. The recent 54-44 win over BNL proved that.
The Millers have overcome the loss of individual talent with team efficiency and execution. Sophomore forward Meredith Tippner (15.9 points, 9.6 boards), junior point guard Reagan Wilson (13.1 points) and sparkplug senior guard Kaitlyn Shoemaker (8.8) present plenty of problems, especially on the defensive end. If junior guard Ava Shoemaker (10.0) returns from injury, she will add another layer to the scouting report.
“They stick to the script that has been very successful for them,” East Central coach Kevin Moore said. “They create offense with defense, whether it’s the 1-3-1 press or the extended, wide 3-2 in the halfcourt. It takes away a lot of what you want to do. If you don’t take care of the ball, they can bury you, and they can bury you really quickly. And they’re hard to turn over. They’re strong with their guards.”
East Central’s RSVP to its first Classic came in recognition of the program’s rise to southern power and for the talents of Josie Trabel, the 6-0 senior and Junior All-Star destined for Wofford. She’s averaging 21.6 points (after back-to-back eruptions for 40 and 37) and 8.9 boards. Her supporting cast includes senior guard Laney Baker (12.9 points, 3.3 assists).
“The word I use with Josie is consistency,” Moore said. “Throughout her entire career, she’s been consistent. And she’s flexible, whether we want her in the post or being the primary point guard. If we need her to run our sets, she can do that.
”I think Laney is our most important player. Josie is obviously our best player, but when Laney is scoring, it’s really important.”
The Trojans lost four straight (including Jeffersonville and Columbus East) in November while Trabel and most of the roster battled through illness. They’ve bounced back to full strength and hope to make some noise in this event.
“As a basketball junkie, it’s an enormous honor to play in the Hall of Fame,” Moore said. “Trying to get people to understand how big of a deal it is, it’s the best high school tournament in the state, and it’s been that way for years. I remember going as a kid, watching some of the all-time greats play. So for us to be invited to participate, to see where we’ve brought the program, it speaks volumes.”
HALL OF FAME CLASSIC
BNL vs. MISHAWAKA MARIAN
When: Thursday, 11 a.m.
Records: BNL 13-2, ranked No.4 in Class 4A; Mishawaka Marian 12-2, ranked No.7 in Class 3A
Sagarin ratings: BNL 104.38; Mishawaka Marian 85.68
Last meeting: This is the first meeting between the teams.
Game notes: BNL is making its fifth appearance (tied with Rushville for the most in event history) in the Hall of Fame. The Stars won the title in 1990 and 2013. BNL is one of four programs to win it twice.
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.
Mishawaka Marian Knights
F – Shayla Alexander 5-9 Sr.
F – Christa Porter 5-10 So.
G – Nevaeh Foster 5-9 Sr.
G – Aliyah Hershberger 5-6 Sr.
G – Grace O’Hara 5-5 Sr.
EAST CENTRAL vs. NOBLESVILLE
When: Thursday, 12:30 p.m.
Records: East Central 11-5; Noblesville 11-3, ranked No.8 in Class 4A
Sagarin ratings: East Central 79.42; Noblesville 103.10
Last meeting: Noblesville prevailed 55-44 during the 2014-15 season.
Game notes: Noblesville is making its third appearance in the Hall of Fame. BNL will either face a rematch with Noblesville or a preview of the regular-season clash with East Central in the second round.
Starting lineups
East Central Trojans
F – Josie Trabel 6-0 Sr.
F – Addyson Arnult 5-8 Sr.
G – Laney Baker 5-9 Sr.
G – Caitlyn Dick 5-3 Sr.
G – Emily Klem 5-9 So.
Noblesville Millers
F – Meredith Tippner 5-10 So.
F – Dani Mendez 5-11 Sr.
G – Reagan Wilson 5-8 Jr.
G – Kaitlyn Shoemaker 5-5 Sr.
G – Brooklyn Ely 5-5 Sr.
