By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Momentum is like milk in the refrigerator. There’s a “best by” label. The longer a team sits idle, the better the chances it will go sour.
During the first month of the regular season, Bedford North Lawrence has played only five times, and two of those – both losses – came on one weekend. And following the upcoming midweek test at Mooresville, the Stars will go two weeks over the holiday break without any competition. Nobody wants to spoil Christmas with an unwrapped loss.
For the first time in program history, BNL (3-2) will journey to Mooresville for a regular-season clash that carries a little more mental-health weight. The Stars have won back-to-back games with outstanding offensive performances, so they’re eager to keep the fires burning and the jump shots falling.
“The next few days of practice will hurt if we don’t win this one,” senior guard Noah Godlevske said.
The Stars could not be hotter than the last two weeks. They’ve shot an amazing 65.7 percent during the last seven quarters, 18 of 28 from 3-point range the last three halves. Putting the consecutive 70-plus offensive explosions in perspective, it’s been 17 years since the Stars have done that for three straight games. This isn’t a game of HORSE, it’s against defenses designed to stop the main threats.
“It’s tough to score that much in the high school game,” BNL coach Kurt Godlevske said. “Our style limits our ability to get to the free-throw line, and the rule change (no more one-and-one chances) has limited the amount of free throws for everybody.
“I like the way we’re playing offensively. I just hope it keeps being contagious. Once you see that first one go in, it’s a great relaxer for everyone.”
Godlevske, coming off a career-high 30 points against Silver Creek, and junior wing Patric Matson lead BNL in scoring with identical 19.0 averages. Matson is shooting a remarkable 63 percent (39 of 62) while Godlevske has buried 19 treys (12 the last two games combined).
“This is a great shooting team,” Noah Godlevske said. “Every game we have the confidence we can do what we did. We’re fully capable of it.”
The Pioneers (2-5 and winless at home) just ended a four-game losing skid with a 56-50 overtime victory over University. They will feature strength up front with 6-4 junior A.J. DeFur (who’s been in double figures three times this season), 6-6 junior Brevon Burns (9.8 points and 4.8 rebounds), 6-3 sophomore guard Tyronne Elmore (9.8) and sophomore guard Dane Browning (11.6).
That kind of balance was key for Mooresville during last year’s win at BNL Fieldhouse. While BNL’s Colten Leach was unstoppable while scoring a career-high 41 points, DeFur was one of four Pioneers in double figures, and his 3-point play with 25.5 seconds left was the difference as Mooresville prevailed 71-70 in overtime.
“They have the one thing we have struggled with, which is size,” coach Godlevske said. “They run a lot of action to get the ball inside, and they have some athletic guards. So it will stress us defensively with their ability to get the ball in the paint off the dribble and throw it in there.”
After this road trip, BNL will be finished with the 2023 portion of the regular season. The Stars won’t be back in action until Jan. 2, the start of a busy nine-game month. A victory would be the perfect way to make the long break much more enjoyable.
“We’ve handled the long breaks so far,” coach Godlevske said. “I was concerned about that. It’s hard for kids to maintain a focus and rhythm. To their credit, they’ve handled it extremely well, with the stress I’ve been putting on them.”
“Varsity basketball is just a different pace,” Noah said. “But we will also have the advantage of preparation. So in theory, it should balance out.”
BNL at MOORESVILLE
When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 3-2; Mooresville 2-5
Sagarin ratings: BNL 85.42; Mooresville 63.98
Last meeting: Last year in the series debut at BNL, A.J. DeFur’s three-point play with 25.5 seconds left powered the Pioneers to a 71-70 overtime victory. DeFur, one of four Pioneers in double figures, had 20 points. Colten Leach posted a career-high 41 points for the Stars.
Previous game story: Leach nets 41, but Pioneers escape
Game notes: BNL is making its first trip to Mooresville. The Stars are seeking to score 70-plus points in three straight games for the first time since the 2006-07 season.
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.
Mooresville Pioneers
F – A.J. DeFur 6-4 Jr.
F – Brevon Burns 6-6 Jr.
F – Bradley Robbins 6-4 Jr.
G – Tyronne Elmore 6-3 So.
G – Dane Browning 5-10 So.
