By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – With little rest or preparation, Bedford North Lawrence will conclude the regular season with a final road trip – if the Stars don’t run out of gas on the way.
BNL, coming off a long journey to New Albany on Wednesday, will visit Jasper on Thursday night, capping the campaign with back-to-back journeys that mimic a final sectional weekend. The Stars (13-7) put all their emphasis on the battle with New Albany (which will be their first-round sectional opponent next week at Seymour), while the Wildcats (12-9) had the entire week to work on strategy for BNL and for their Senior Night celebration.
Advantage, Jasper.
“We’re in sectional mode,” BNL coach Kurt Godlevske said. “They have some time this week to prepare, so they will have the advantage of home court, and scouting wise. But it will be a good test for us, playing back-to-back. It’s a short turnaround, making a trip on consecutive nights. And they are no slouch.“
Jasper has been hot of late, winning five of its last six. The Wildcats will feature 6-3 senior Andrew Noblitt (15 points per game) and senior Will Wallace (11.0), plus the interior presence of 6-6 Griffin Hile. Jasper prefers the physical style in the interior.
“Just their size alone makes it a difficult matchup,” Godlevske said. “How they like to score, they’re not so much perimeter oriented. Their big guys let a lot done, and they’re extremely patient. They’re hard to press and hard to turn over, so you have to limit them to one shot.”
Jasper will have to deal with BNL’s perimeter firepower with junior Patric Matson (20.5 after his career-high 39 at New Albany) and senior Noah Godlevske (15.0).
“BNL moves the ball well on offense and they shoot the ball well,” veteran Jasper coach John Goebel said. “They move and screen in the halfcourt as well as any team on our schedule. They’re well coached and look to be tough to defend.”
BNL won last year’s game 49-44. Colton Staggs had 13 points and Godlevske added 11 in a clash that was slowed by 42 total fouls and 53 free throws between the teams. Carter Monday had 15 points for the Wildcats, who were guilty of 18 turnovers.
BNL at JASPER
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 13-7; Jasper 12-9
Sagarin ratings: BNL 79.55; Jasper 77.01
Last meeting: Last year at BNL, the Stars prevailed 49-44. Colton Staggs had 13 points and Noah Godlevske added 11 for BNL. Carter Mundy had 15 points for the Wildcats, who were guilty of 18 turnovers.
Previous game story: BNL earns NSFW rating
Game notes: Jasper’s John Goebel is 39th on the active coaches list with 317 career wins in 22 seasons. BNL leads the series 12-11.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Patric Matson 6-3 Jr.
F – Logan Miracle 6-4 Jr.
G – Noah Godlevske 5-11 Sr.
G – Trace Rynders 5-11 Sr.
G – Maddox Ray 5-11 Sr.
Jasper Wildcats
F – Will Wallace 6-2 Sr.
F – Andrew Noblitt 6-3 Sr.
C – Griffin Hile 6-6 Sr.
G – Brayden Giesler 6-2 Jr.
G – Logan Day 5-11 So.
