By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Glitches are expected when a new system is unveiled. Nothing works perfectly the first time, no matter how often it was reviewed, practiced, edited or simulated.
For example, Bedford North Lawrence’s sparkling new video scoreboards. All that wonderful technology, with its amazing capabilities – and the pitiful horn sounded like a sinking ship’s lonely foghorn on a dark night in the deep, or the wails of a doomed animal in the clutches of a hungry predator. That will be fixed.
For example, BNL’s annual intrasquad scrimmage on Tuesday night. All that talent, with potential for excellence – and the Stars had expected issues, typical of a dress rehearsal with no secrets. Those will be fixed.
BNL raised the curtain on its public workouts for the 2024-25 preseason with a brief session, two quarters of varsity action under the direction of new head coach Greg Burton. Sharpness and style are not usual products of a scrimmage, when both teams know the sets by heart. Or should, anyway. With new names for old sets, there was still a little guess work or hesitation when translating the plan into action.
In the first quarter, the varsity cruised to an expected 16-2 victory over the junior varsity. In the next, with the varsity divided into allegedly equal units, the White squad handled the Red by a 16-6 count. There were moments of outstanding play, there were others of sluggishness.
“It’s a scrimmage against yourself, so it’s going to be ugly basketball,” Burton after giving the workout an overall passing mark. “We looked better than I actually anticipated, and I anticipated something pretty ugly. It was at times, but we did what we set out to do. We executed, our energy and effort level was good.”
Katie Godlevske was the offensive standout against the JV, scoring 7 points, while Miley Sherrill added 5. In the second period, the scoring came from other contributors. Paige Burton knocked down a trey en route to 5 points, Tori Nikirk dropped a bomb from the perimeter, and Jordynn Blann swished a bomb for the White during a rush to a 12-2 lead. BNL was not at full strength, as junior starter Trinidy Bailey sat out with a sprained ankle.
The glitches included fouling, multiple missed free throws, and turnovers. BNL will be a small team in terms of size, so rebounding will be a constant talking point for the next three-plus months.
“We knew we would get called for a bunch of fouls,” Burton said. “We needed that, we have to set the precedent where we will play physical. And with all the conditioning we did, we’re still out of shape.
“We have to sharpen our base offenses. We have to be more organized and not just fire up 3-pointers. I want us to shoot, but they have to be smart shots.”
The positives included veteran familiarity and a winner’s mentality.
“We communicated well, both on the offensive and defensive sides,” Godlevske said. “We passed the ball well, although we can do that better. It’s difficult when they know your plays. Our teamwork was good.”
BNL will have one more preseason test. The Stars will host Columbus North in the IHSAA-sanctioned scrimmage on Nov. 5. So there’s another week to work on the kinks.
“Execution, for sure,” Godlevske said. “We had a lot of turnovers. Overall, we just need to play harder.”
The Stars will open the regular season against Mooresville on Nov. 8.
Varsity 16, Junior Varsity 2
Varsity – Katie Godlevske 7, Miley Sherrill 5, Jordynn Blann 2, Trinity Schmeichel 2
Junior varsity – Carsyn Amburgey 1, Bella Warren 1
White 16, Red 6
White – Paige Burton 5, Jordynn Blann 4, Tori Nikirk 3, Elise Williams 2, Carsyn Amburgey 2
Red – Miley Sherrill 2, Sammie Nusbaum 4
