By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Control your own destiny, former General Electric chairman Jack Welch once stated, or someone else will. Bedford North Lawrence still holds its fate in the Hoosier Hills Conference title chase in its hands. Time to flick the power switch.
With a 2-1 record in the league, the Stars are still a factor in the race for that coveted prize. No.12 Floyd Central leads the pack at 3-0, but BNL is one of three other challengers with only one conference loss. Win out, and BNL would assured of at least a share of the crown, which would be quite the accomplishment after all the recent struggles.
One hurdle at a time. Jennings County is the next obstacle. The Panthers (9-6 overall) are the defending champions, and they are among those battling for the title as they prepare to invade BNL Fieldhouse on Thursday night.
BNL (4-12) has multiple reasons for motivation. The Stars need to end a seven-game losing streak that’s reached historic levels, and they will be celebrating the annual Pink Out that raises funds for the Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services. Upsetting the Panthers would cure a lot of woes.
“We have to take it one game at a time, and Jennings is next,” BNL coach Greg Burton said. “That’s where our focus is. A conference championship would be awesome, that’s a big goal.”
Jennings will be formidable. The Panthers lost All-Star forward Juliann Woodard, now at Michigan State, but they have a sensational scorer in junior guard Mollie Ernstes. After a bumpy 1-4 start, they have won six of their last seven games.
“They’re in a similar situation to us, they lost a stud from last year, but they still have one in Ernstes,” Burton said. “It took them a few games to find their footing, but they’re playing well. They’re tough to beat.
“Ernstes can shoot it from about anywhere. She’s very dangerous. They’re playing through her more this year. Obviously they went through Woodard last year, now they’re running more things for her. She’s the go-to girl now.”
BNL will need to charge its offense to compete. The Stars are averaging only 41.0 points per game, and they’ve failed to reach 50 during the recent skid. While they don’t have a double-digit scorer, Miley Sherrill leads the way at 9.9. Their best performance of late was a loss at Evansville Central, when patience and discretion were rewarded and BNL battled the Bears until the final minute. Getting into a jump-shooting contest (BNL converts 24 percent from long range and 30 percent overall) with Ernstes and friends would favor the Panthers.
BNL and Jennings have an interesting rivalry, most of it during postseason clashes. The Stars won 25 straight games in the series until Jennings ended that domination with last year’s 58-41 win during the regular season. Alivia Elmore had 17 points while Woodard had 15 points and 13 rebounds, offsetting the 26-point performance by BNL’s Chloe Spreen.
But BNL got revenge in the sectional final. Madisyn Bailey had her best game with 24 points, Spreen added 16, and the Stars stunned the Panthers 43-39 (rallying from an 18-9 deficit) to win their 13th consecutive sectional championship.
BNL, which has won 22 league titles in program history, last won the HHC in 2023.
JENNINGS COUNTY at BNL
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Jennings County 9-6 (2-1 in HHC); BNL 4-12 (2-1 in HHC)
Sagarin ratings: Jennings County 80.77; BNL 68.03
Last meeting: The teams split two memorable games last season. The Panthers won the regular-season clash 58-41 at Jennings as Alivia Elmore scored 17 points to help Jennings end a 25-game losing streak in the series. The Stars won the rematch 43-39 in the sectional final as Madisyn Bailey scored a career-high 24 points to help BNL win its 13th straight sectional crown.
Previous game story: Supreme 13! Stars rally to conquer JC
Game notes: BNL’s 4-12 record matches its record at this point during the 2003-04 campaign. The Stars have lost a record seven straight games. Jennings County is the defending HHC champion.
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.
Jennings County Panthers
F – Etta Young 5-10 So.
F – Avynn Belding 5-10 Sr.
G – Mollie Ernstes 6-0 Jr.
G – Madelyn McIntosh 5-7 Sr.
G – Riley Byford 5-8 Jr.
