By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence’s first road trip of the new season won’t take very long.
The Stars (1-2) will make a short journey to clash with county neighbor Mitchell on Saturday night, looking to extend their dominance in the rivalry. BNL has won the last 14 in the series, by an average of 45 points per victory.
That’s the danger for the Stars, coming off an overtime loss to Scottsburg. They cannot overlook any opponent.
“We’ve had success against Mitchell in the past, but any time it’s a rivalry game, you can be tense,” said BNL coach Greg Burton, who will be introduced to the feud for the first time. “Rivalry games can’t be taken for granted. We have to come ready to play and go all out from the jump. There’s always bragging rights.”
The Bluejackets (0-3) have won only once in their last 27 outings during the last two-plus years. Second-year coach Dakota Brasher has been seeing improvement with his young team, which will feature two sophomores and a freshman in the starting lineup.
Mitchell started this season with setbacks to Bloomfield (40-31), Salem (34-30) and Perry Central (54-22 on Friday night). Leighann Thompson (10.5) leads the Bluejackets in scoring.
“Defensively, we’ve had a big jump,” Brasher said. “Our competitiveness is growing, our effort is where it needs to be. We’re communicating better.
“On the offensive side, we’re getting better shots. We’re still really young, so we’re still defining good shots and bad shots. They’re still figuring out where they will get shots. We just couldn’t figure out a way to win. Overall I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made.”
BNL cruised to a 72-9 win last year at BNL Fieldhouse. Chloe Spreen scored 34 points as the Stars raced to a 50-2 lead at halftime and finished with the running clock. The Stars didn’t have a turnover until midway through the fourth quarter.
Mitchell’s last win in the series came during the 2008-09 campaign.
“There is a rivalry, but we’re looking at it as another game and opportunity to get better,” Brasher said. “We’re not focused on the name on the other jersey, we’re focused on us. Our motto is having the opportunity to get in the gym and get better. We have another opportunity against BNL to get better for 32 minutes.”
The junior varsity contest will last only two quarters.
BNL at MITCHELL
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Records: BNL 1-2; Mitchell 0-3
Last meeting: Last year at BNL, the Stars eased to a 72-9 victory. Chloe Spreen scored 34 points and Madisyn Bailey added 12 for the Stars, who rushed to a 50-2 lead at halftime and played the second half with a running clock.
Game notes: BNL has won 14 straight in the series by an average of 45 points per game. Mitchell’s last win was a 65-47 triumph during the 2008-09 season.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Miley Sherrill 5-9 So.
F – Katie Godlevske 5-6 Sr.
G – Tori Nikirk 5-6 Sr.
G – Trinidy Bailey 5-7 Jr.
G – Paige Burton 5-4 Jr.
Mitchell Bluejackets
F – Abigail Fountain 5-10 Fr.
G – Leighann Thompson 5-6 So.
G – Paisley Modglin 5-5 Jr.
G – Jorja Lamm 5-4 Sr.
G – Asiah Saunders 5-4 So.
