By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – In the midst of a condensed schedule that rivals the NBA, three games in five days with one practice session to prepare for each and correct issues that arise, Bedford North Lawrence’s most precious commodity is time. There is none to waste.
Efficiency will be the key as the time-crunched Stars, coming off their first Hoosier Hills Conference setback, look to move forward from a back step when they host Seymour on Thursday night. BNL (3-5, 1-1 in the league) needs a win to remain in the conference race, although that’s a secondary goal at this point.
The front-burner focus will remain on the offense. The Stars reverted back to shooting struggles during the 46-30 loss at Jeffersonville, and added a season-high 21 turnovers. That’s too many wasted possessions for a team that needs to make the most of each one.
“We’re less worried about them and more worried about us,” BNL coach Greg Burton said. “I think we can make teams play at our style, we’re just not there yet. We have to be able to play at our pace and execute. We’d like to run when it’s there, but we have to be able to slow it down and play the style we want. We’re capable. We can still be better.“
Seymour (2-6) is going through similar problems. The Owls have lost five straight games, including their HHC opener against Jennings County on Tuesday, and they’ve failed to reach 40 points during that slump. BNL has averaged 58.3 points during its three wins, but hasn’t eclipsed 41 in any loss. So that’s the magic number.
“Seymour will look completely different than Jeffersonville, there are things we’ll have to focus on,” Burton said. “They are very similar to us, they will rely on their execution.”
BNL has dominated this series, winning 10 straight and 18 of the last 19. Last year, the Stars rolled to a 64-42 triumph as Chloe Spreen scored 25 points, Madisyn Bailey totaled 11 and Miley Sherrill added 11.
Sherrill is currently the lone Star averaging in double figures at 11.0.
SEYMOUR at BNL
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Seymour 2-6 (0-1 in HHC); BNL 3-5 (1-1 in HHC)
Sagarin ratings: Seymour 64.93; BNL 79.77
Last meeting: Last year at Seymour, Chloe Spreen scored 25 points as BNL cruised to a 64-42 victory. Madisyn Bailey and Miley Sherrill added 11 points each for the Stars. Journee Brown had 17 points for the Owls.
Previous game story: Stars show signs of growth
Game notes: BNL has won 10 straight games in the series and 18 out of the last 19 meetings. Seymour’s last win at BNL came during the 2008-09 season.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Miley Sherrill 5-9 So.
F – Makaya Jackson 5-8 Sr.
G – Trinidy Bailey 5-7 Jr.
G – Tori NIkirk 5-6 Sr.
G – Jordynn Blann 5-2 So.
Seymour Owls
F – Emmy Munson 5-8 Jr.
F – Sophie Skidmore 5-8 Jr.
G – Claire Skaggs 5-3 Jr.
G – Greer Henry 5-7 Sr.
G – Kenzie Gagner 5-6 Sr.
