By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Former Texas A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher was an interviewer’s dream, great for a quote on sports and life, because the two often intertwine. His best-of collection, know as “Jimboisms,” includes this thought-provoking philosophy:
“Winning and success is a learned behavior. It’s not natural, because it’s too hard. Human nature is to take the easy way out. You have to make yourself create those habits. And we’re still in the process of understanding that as a culture and a whole organization of how to do that.”
That bit of West Virginia wisdom perfectly describes Bedford North Lawrence, which suffered two losses last weekend in winnable games. And it fits Columbus East, which is looking for a program turnaround under a new coach.
Winning also solves a lot of problems. The Stars and Olympians could both benefit from an injection of immediate success when they collide in the Hoosier Hills Conference opener on Friday night.
If lessons are learned during losses, BNL (1-2) got smarter with the setbacks to Bloomington South (43-36) and 3A No.3 Scottsburg (57-51). The Stars had late chances to win both, came up short and frustrated, but not disheartened. With only two starters back from a year ago, they’re a team still adjusting to new roles and personnel, including the coaching staff. There will be bumps in the road.
“For us to be as inexperienced as we are, to come out and compete and stick with the game plan, I was very pleased,” BNL coach Kurt Godlevske said. “We just have to figure out how to win. That will be a process for us. We have to learn, not what is good, but what is great in terms of time and possession.
“I don’t know if you could find three better games (including the successful opener at Bloomington North) for us. That’s exactly what we will see in the conference. Those were good games to prep us for the HHC, and that’s our first goal.”
That should be the goal, for BNL is defending a share of the league title. That inspired march to the prize included a 59-48 road victory at East. The Olympians were on their way to a dismal 2-20 campaign that signaled a coaching change.
That’s where Perry Nash, a former coach at Jac-Cen-Del and Triton Central, entered the scene. He’s already guided the Olympians (2-1) to a win total that matches last season, but there’s more work ahead.
“It was really good to be able to get those two wins,” Nash said. “We need to be able to build on some of the things we did in those two wins, and apply those to really good competition. It will get really tough in the month of December.
“We have a lot of young guys that we’re trying to develop for the way we want to play the game. It’s developing some winning habits.”
East, which went 14-72 during the last four years, has started rebuilding with sophomores (Carter Patterson at 14.7 and Keaton Lawson at 11.7) as the early scoring leaders. The lone senior in the lineup is Jack Fischvogt, who scored only two points past season against BNL. He’s contributing 9.3 now.
“They’re scrappy and physical, they have some skilled kids we have to guard,” Godlevske said. “We have to make sure we protect the paint, they are good at penetrating.”
BNL will counter with junior forward Patric Matson, off to a great start at 18.7 points per game, and senior guard Noah Godlevske (13.7). Godlevske made a big splash last year at East in his first varsity start, hitting five treys and scoring 18 points.
“They’ve got two kids that can just fill it up,” Nash said. “They’re very talented. That team, despite their record, is not a 1-2 team, for sure. It will be a challenge for us to face that level of competition.”
The Stars just need a consistent third scorer. The defense has been surprising solid, allowing only 51.3 points. But BNL has totaled only 48.7 on offense thus far.
“We’ve put a lot of time into the defense,” Godlevske said. “That’s what we want to be known for, a great defensive team first. Hopefully the offense will continue to grow and get better.”
East’s last win in BNL Fieldhouse came during the 2013-14 season.
COLUMBUS EAST at BNL
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Columbus East 2-1 (0-0 in HHC); BNL 1-2 (0-0 in HHC)
Last meeting: Last year at East, Noah Godlevske scored 18 points in his first career start as the Stars prevailed 59-48. Colten Leach had 24 points and 11 rebounds for BNL. Ben Sylva had 19 points for the Olympians.
Previous game story: BNL’s first win? Thank Godlevske
Game notes: BNL has won four straight in the series. First-year East coach Perry Nash previously coached at Jac-Cen-Del and Triton Central.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Patric Matson 6-3 Jr.
F – Logan Miracle 6-4 Jr.
G – Maddox Ray 5-11 Sr.
G – Noah Godlevske 5-11 Sr.
G – Trace Rynders 5-11 Sr.
Columbus East Olympians
F – Keaton Lawson 6-4 So.
G – Ethan Bumbalough 6-1 Jr.
G – Jack Fischvogt 6-0 Sr.
G – Mason Reeves 5-7 Jr.
G – Danny Coriden 6-0 Jr.
