By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Want to be the best? Got to beat the best. Bedford North Lawrence faces that challenge during its postseason opener.
The Stars (16-6 after a tremendous surge during the second half of the season, with 10 wins in the last 11 games) got no favors when the IHSAA sectional draw pitted the two best teams – in terms of records – in the debut game of the Class 4A sectional at Seymour. So much for seeding and building drama.
BNL will battle No.9 Jennings County (20-2) in the first round on Tuesday at 6 p.m., followed by the same-school-system rematch between neighbors New Albany (9-13) and Floyd Central (7-15). The BNL-Jennings survivor then faces a semifinal test with bye holder Jeffersonville (13-8) in the semifinal on Friday, while the NAFC corporation victor will advance to meet Seymour (10-12). The championship is set for Saturday.
Jennings, BNL and Jeffersonville all shared the Hoosier Hills Conference title, but the Panthers still have to be considered the favorites in this all-league sectional. Plus they already hold a 51-40 regular-season win over the Stars at BNL Fieldhouse. BNL will hold the underdog and revenge cards, but it takes more than a pair to make a quality hand.
“Any way you look at it, this draw is tough,” BNL coach Jeff Hein said. “The nice thing is everyone knows each other. There are no secrets. Jennings knows what we will do, we know what they will do.”
During the first encounter on Jan. 14, the Panthers took control with a run in the third quarter, erasing BNL’s 22-21 lead and roaring to a nine-point advantage. The Stars can’t afford a similar lapse again.
“They’re just capable, because they have so many weapons, of going on big runs,” Hein said. “That run in the third quarter, the first time we played them, got us beat. We played well and got in good position at halftime, but they came out and took off, took control of the game.”
Owen Law, one of three Panthers averaging in double figures, was the key that night with 15 points. Keegan Manowitz, the senior point guard and pulse of the Panthers (15.3 points, 6.6 assists) added 12 points. Jennings was guilty of only three turnovers.
“Law is the X factor,” Hein said. “He played well against us. Those guards are really good. Law is a great athlete, a very good defender, and he can score. When he scores, they’re really tough to beat. When he gets going, he’s tough to stop. They have so many good players, and if they get out in transition they’re tough to stop.”
The contrasts are stark. Jennings ranks 14th in the state in scoring at 68.7 points per game. The Stars prefer a deliberate, probing, patient approach. BNL, which allows only 47 points per game, is one of only five foes to keep Jennings in the 50s.
“We want to push it, we want to score the ball,” Jennings coach Josh Land said. “We don’t talk a lot about taking bad shots, because we play with a lot of confidence. They trust each other, and we have no selfish bones about us. That goes a long way to being successful.
“BNL plays to its strengths very well. Their two senior guards are just as good as anyone. They’re a hard team to handle because of the style they want to play. When they’re on, they’re really tough.”
BNL’s tone setters are senior Colten Leach (the team leader in scoring, rebounding and assists) and Colton Staggs. Leach had 12 points and 15 rebounds, while Kole Bailey had 15 points during a rare start, during the first Jennings clash. The Stars have lost only once (Brownstown) since that JC setback.
“They’re really good,” Land said. “Confidence is so huge, and they have a good group of seniors playing with a ton of confidence. They’ve proven they can play with anybody and beat anybody.”
Both teams are in position to end lengthy sectional title slumps. The Stars won their last crown in 2001, while the Panthers are seeking their first since 2005.
“We can’t have a bad spell of play,” Hein said. “We’re playing very well, our confidence is high, our kids believe they can do it. But they’ve only lost twice, so it will take a heroic effort. Our kids want to continue to play. Sometimes that’s enough, sometimes you run into someone who’s better than you. We have the belief that if anyone in the sectional can knock them off, it’s us.”
New Albany vs. Floyd Central: In the second game, the Bulldogs hope to keep the coaching career of Jim Shannon from reaching an early conclusion. Shannon (614 career wins in 39 seasons) has announced his retirement at the end of this season. He’s rather delay it as long as possible.
But the Bulldogs are limping into the sectional with 10 losses in their last 11 games. On the positive side, New Albany owns a 44-40 win over the Highlanders (on Dec. 9 at New Albany), and the Bulldogs did that with two key players on the sideline.
“It’s going to come down to which team plays harder, which team can get the ball in the basket, and you have to have some breaks,” Shannon said. “There just aren’t any secrets. You just hope that one day, the light goes on, and you start playing a lot better.
“We’ve had some great games, really close games. It’s turned into a bitter rivalry. We’re looking forward to it. You find out really quick how good you are, or you don’t get to suit up anymore. You’re done.”
During the first game, New Albany (with Josten Carter and Chase Loesch not playing) blasted to a 14-4 advantage, then had to hold on late. Jeremy Rose had 14 points and Jordan Treat 13 for the Bulldogs. Floyd was its own worst enemy that night, hitting only 8 of 21 free throws while committing 16 turnovers.
“That was a nice early game,” first-year FC coach Greg Walters said. “Looking back, it was a good experience for us. Wish it had come out a little differently. We’re looking forward to the opportunity, maybe we can put this together and make a good run.”
Caleb Washington leads the Highlanders in scoring at 17 points per game while point guard Tevi Ali adds 13. Washington had 9 points in the first battle with the Bulldogs.
CLASS 4A
Sectional at Seymour
FIRST ROUND
BNL vs. JENNINGS COUNTY
When: Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Records: BNL 16-6; Jennings County 20-2, ranked No.9
Sagarin ratings: BNL 82.25; Jennings County 90.94
Last meeting: On Jan. 14 at BNL, the Panthers prevailed 51-40. Owen Law had 15 points and Keegan Manowitz added 12 for Jennings. Kole Bailey paced the Stars with 15 points while Colten Leach totaled 12 points and 15 rebounds.
Previous game story: Jennings pulls away from BNL
Game notes: BNL is chasing its first sectional title since 2001, while Jennings has not won a sectional since 2005. The winner will face Jeffersonville in the semifinal. BNL’s Colten Leach needs 3 points to catch Joey Ray for seventh place on the school’s career scoring list.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Kaedyn Bennett 6-2 Sr.
F – Colten Leach 6-2 Sr.
G – Colton Staggs 6-0 Sr.
G – Trace Rynders 5-9 Jr.
G – Noah Godlevske 5-8 Jr.
Jennings County Panthers
F – Owen Law 6-3 Sr.
F – Parker Elmore 6-5 Fr.
C – Justin Ramey 6-7 Sr.
G – Keegan Manowitz 5-8 Sr.
G – Carter Kent 5-11 So.
NEW ALBANY vs. FLOYD CENTRAL
When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: New Albany 9-13; Floyd Central 7-15
Sagarin ratings: New Albany 73.92; Floyd Central 74.41
Last meeting: On Dec. 9 at New Albany, the Bulldogs squeezed out a 44-40 triumph. Jeremy Rose had 14 points and Jordan Treat added 13 for New Albany. Caleb Washington had 9 points for Floyd Central.
Game notes: The winner will face Seymour in the semifinal. Floyd Central is the defending sectional champion. New Albany coach Jim Shannon has announced his retirement following the conclusion of New Albany’s season.
Starting lineups
New Albany Bulldogs
F – Tommy Devine 6-2 Sr.
G – Jordan Treat 6-0 So.
G – Josten Carter 6-4 Sr.
G – Jeremy Rose 6-1 Jr.
G – Rylan Schrink 6-2 So.
Floyd Central Highlanders
F – Caleb Washington 6-5 Sr.
F – Kaden Stewart 6-4 Sr.
G – Tevi Ali 6-0 Sr.
G – Austin Cardwell 6-2 Jr.
G – Tre Walters 6-1 Jr.
