By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Coaches, and car enthusiasts, fear rust, corrosion that occurs on metal surfaces when iron reacts with oxygen and water. Oxidation, a chemical reaction, eats away at metal. Trapped vapor residue can lead to rust, even during short periods of inactivity. Thus endeth the science lesson.
Bedford North Lawrence is in danger of rust. It’s been two weeks since the Stars were on the court, and there’s been trapped idle time in the aftermath of the winter storm that dumped excess moisture (in the form of that dreaded four-letter word snow) across the region.
The Stars (4-4) are scheduled, weather and road conditions permitting, to finally return to action on Saturday night, hosting Mooresville. The Pioneers (8-5) have not been sedentary, having played three times since BNL competed in the tournament at Southridge, and they prepped for the journey to BNL Fieldhouse with an epic comeback victory over Franklin on Thursday night.
Blame it on Blair. Evidently winter storms are now named, and that was the one chosen for the arctic blast that froze everything up earlier this week. BNL missed one game, and more importantly hours of practice time, since the win over former Class A No.1 Orleans in the consolation round at Southridge on Dec. 28.
“We played so well, especially in the second game of the tournament,” BNL coach Kurt Godlevske said. “We were very productive, following the Orleans game, in practice. I was looking forward to playing and seeing that carry over. Not playing for two weeks is a concern, not practicing for a few days is more of a concern.”
Mooresville has a new coach, with former Indiana All-Star and Michigan standout Gavin Groninger, and a veteran cast. All five starters return from last season, and they have scoring balance with senior A.J.Defur (13.8), 6-6 senior Brevon Burns (13.7), plus juniors Tyrone Elmore (9.9) and Bradley Robbins (9.6).
“They have size, they were physical last year, and they have played in spurts where they can really score,” Godlevske said. “It will be a game where we have to play well. They’re not a great matchup for us.”
BNL ended a three-game skid with the win over the Bulldogs, and Matson was a force during the tournament at Southridge with 56 points in those two games. He’s now averaging 20.4. The Stars need a consistent secondary scorer, and Logan Miracle (8.8) and Quincy Pickett (8.5) are the prime candidates. BNL has also experimented with trapping zone defenses, with some success.
“We’ve added some wrinkles, changed some things,” Godlevske said. “We weren’t doing a bad job, playing straight man-to-man, it just makes us more challenging on teams to change in and out. We’re a pretty good zone team. It has led to some points, which is what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Mooresville has never lost on the road in the series. Of course that encompasses only one game, two year ago. Last season, BNL’s first trip to Mooresville was a success as the Stars posted a 55-51 win. Patric Matson scored 22 points and Noah Godlevske added 18 for BNL, while Burns totaled 16 for the Pioneers.
The Pioneers conquered Franklin 66-54, rallying with a 19-2 run in the fourth quarter.
MOORESVILLE at BNL
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Mooresville 8-5; BNL 4-4
Sagarin ratings: Mooresville 71.59; BNL 79.63
Series: Series is tied 1-1
Last meeting: Last year at Mooresville, the Stars prevailed 55-51. Patric Mason had 22 points and Noah Godlevske added 18 for BNL. Brevon Burns had 16 points for the Pioneers.
Previous game story: Perfect gift? First win at Mooresville
Game notes: First-year Mooresville coach Gavin Groninger was the runner-up for the 1999 Mr. Basketball while leading Plainfield to the Class 3A state title. He played four seasons at Michigan.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Dax Short 6-1 Jr.
F – Isaiah Sasser 6-0 Sr.
C – Logan Miracle 6-5 Sr.
G – Patric Matson 6-5 Sr.
G – Quincy Pickett 6-3 Sr.
Mooresville Pioneers
F – Brevon Burns 6-6 Sr.
F – Bradley Robbins 6-4 Jr.
F – Tyrone Elmore 6-4 Jr.
G – A.J. Defur 6-4 Sr.
G – Chris Thompson-Moore 5-10 Jr.
