By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Idle hands are the devil’s workshop. Bedford North Lawrence, thanks to the cancellation of the late-season road trip to Louisville, has not played in two weeks. What mischief and temptations could corrupt a team during such a long break from competition? Demons are everywhere.
Worry not. Rather than succumb to possible pitfalls, the Stars turned a potential negative problem into a positive response. Refreshed physically and mentally, they’re returning to work from this unplanned vacation with a new outlook and reintroduction for the regular-season finale.
Hello, hello again. BNL is back, just in time to celebrate Senior Day and bid farewell to four elders, just in time to sharpen up for the upcoming Class 4A sectional title defense with an interesting clash against a new and formidable power. The Stars (16-4, ranked No.11 in 4A) will welcome Class A No.2 Borden to BNL Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon for the matinee conclusion to the campaign.
How did BNL pass the time? Practice, practice, practice. The Stars had displayed some signs of weariness, some slippage in offensive execution and defensive toughness, during the January grind. So perhaps the curse of the Sacred Heart cancellation (on Jan. 18) was actually a blessing.
“I wouldn’t have planned it that way,” BNL coach Jeff Allen said. “We would have liked to have played that game, it would have been good for us. But I don’t know that it’s been a bad thing. Practices have been really good. We brushed up on some things, our conditioning is at a higher level now, so I feel good about it. We’ve had a good period here of getting back to basics.”
Welcome back, the dreams are the ticket out. BNL envisions another deep tournament run, so this first meeting with the Braves (19-3) could be the perfect springboard. The Stars will be required to play at a high level.
“It’s all business that this point,” Allen said. “We know that, and that’s how we’ve been approaching it.”
First order of business, honoring the four seniors. Chloe Spreen, Madisyn Bailey, Bella Jackson and Haleigh Canada will comprise the bulk of the starting lineup, after they’ve gone through the emotional wringer of the pregame introductions.
Second order of business, handling the Braves. They feature four sophomores, including two who already hold Div. I recruiting offers. Bookend 5-10 stars Ava Wheeler (13.9 points per game, with a promised future from Bellarmine) and Riley Rarick (12.6, being recruited by Indiana State) will command the most attention, although A.J. Mallard (12.3) and Emma Hart (9.4) provide additional firepower.
“They’re a talented team,” Allen said. “They’re No.2 in Class A for a reason. Our kids know that. We’re focused and ready to play. We’re getting ready for next week, so we can’t have any letdowns. We need to come out and play well.
“We really don’t know them, so we have to approach this game all business. From here on out, that’s what it is. So I hope our mental approach gives us a great start to the game.”
Last order of business, what possessed Borden to schedule such a tough road trip on the final day of the season? BNL, with holes to fill in its constantly fluid schedule, sent out requests during the offseason, and Borden coach Matt Vick originally scoffed at the idea of facing the defending 4A state champion. Laughed when it was brought up. “There’s no way we’re playing that team,” he recalls. Yet the interest was peaked, and he started asking opinions from his peers.
One said, “Absolutely not. It’s right before the sectional. What if you get your butt kicked?” And that seemed like sound logic. But another colleague turned the “what if” scenario around, from a psychological viewpoint. “What do we have to lose?” was the second choice. “If you get your butt kicked, you were supposed to. But if you compete, win or lose, if the game is close, we’ll have a ton of momentum going into the sectional.”
Intrigue trumped fear, especially when Borden faces a possible – if not probable – sectional rematch with No.1 Laneville. “You know what?” Vick decided. “You know the phrase, to be the best you have to beat the best. So if we can compete with BNL, we can compete with Lanesville.”
Borden will have to contend with Spreen, the Miss Basketball frontrunner who’s averaging 21.0 points and 7.1 rebounds, will have to counter Bailey (10.5 points, 4.7 assists) and freshman Miley Sherrill (9.8 points, 4.9 boards).
“Chloe Spreen is a Miss Basketball candidate, which speaks for itself,” Vick said. “They’re always athletic, they’re always disciplined, they are coached tremendously. We’ll have to play a really solid game and not make a ton of mental mistakes.”
Borden’s losses came against Lanesville (35-33), Franklin Central (51-23 in the championship game of the three-game, two-day holiday tournament at Scottsburg) and Class A No.7 Orleans (44-40). The Braves own notable wins over Floyd Central (35-31 on the road) and 3A No.10 Washington (54-49). The battle with BNL, in direct contrast to the Stars, will be their third game this week.
“Sometimes we play young and dumb,” Vick said of his improving team. “Sometimes our body language isn’t the greatest, which is a sign of immaturity. But I feel like we’ve made some huge strides, coming back in games to battle and win. We’ve grown a lot this year. Last year, when stuff hit the fan, we folded. This year we’ve matured and continued to battle.”
Senior Day festivities are set between the junior varsity (which will start at noon and play only two quarters) and varsity games. The clash with Borden will get underway 25 minutes after the conclusion of the senior celebration.
BORDEN at BNL
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Records: Borden 19-3, ranked No.2 in Class A; BNL 16-4, ranked No.11 in Class 4A
Sagarin ratings: Borden 75.72; BNL 90.10
Last meeting: This is the first meeting between the teams
Game notes: BNL has won its last 13 games on Senior Day. Borden is chasing the school record of 21 wins in single season.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Chloe Spreen 5-10 Sr.
F – Miley Sherrill 5-9 Fr.
F – Bella Jackson 5-7 Sr.
G – Haleigh Canada 5-7 Sr.
G – Madisyn Bailey 5-9 Sr.
Borden Braves
F – Ava Wheeler 5-10 So.
F – Emma Hart 5-10 So.
G – Riley Rarick 5-11 So.
G – A.J. Mallard 5-5 So.
G – Reagan Loy 5-3 Jr.
