By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – After two false starts, Bedford North Lawrence will attempt to break from the starting blocks for the second half for the 2024-25 campaign.
The Stars, idle since Dec. 28, will seek to dispel the accuracy concerning the proverb about the devil’s workshop when they visit Martinsville on Wednesday night. Any momentum BNL (4-4) could have carried over from the latest win – a victory over former Class A No.1 Orleans in the consolation game at Southridge, which now seems a long time ago in a far-away galaxy – has long evaporated following weather-related postponements.
Starting over will require the firing of inactive engines and the expenditure of stored energy. From a standstill, the Stars will have to accelerate to a sprint with a three-game burst in four days, a compact schedule that rivals the NBA for frequency.
The Artesians (3-7) will be a dangerous opponent for the restart.
Martinsville has offensive weapons with veteran junior Grady Gardner (22.9 points per game with 44 treys), senior Zhane Capshaw (11.0 points, 5.9 rebounds) and senior guard Hunter Stroud (10.1 points). The issue for the Artesians has been on the defensive end while allowing 70.3 points.
BNL will counter with the explosiveness of senior Patric Matson, who is totaling 20.4 points while shooting 53 percent from the floor. He’s coming off an excellent performance in the tournament at Southridge, where he totaled 56 points in the two contests. The Stars will also count on production from Logan Miracle (8.8) and Quincy Pickett (8.5).
The Stars won last year’s clash 73-44 at BNL. Matson scored 20 and Noah Godlevske added 16 as the Stars shot a sizzling 30 of 44. Gardner paced the Artesians with 18 points.
BNL will cap this busy week with home games against Mitchell (Friday) and Jennings County (Saturday).
BNL at MARTINSVILLE
When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 4-4; Martinsville 3-7
Sagarin ratings: BNL 79.20; Martinsville 62.19
Series: BNL leads 28-12
Last meeting: Last year at BNL, the Stars dazzled during a 73-44 triumph. Patric Matson scored 20 points and Noah Godlevske added 16 as BNL converted 30 of 44 shots. Grady Gardner had 18 points for the Artesians.
Previous game story: Rust-free Stars show their metal
Game notes: Martinsville coach J.B. Neill previously coached at White River Valley, Shakamak, Edgewood and Bloomfield. He went 1-2 against BNL during his tenure at Edgewood.
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.
Martinsville Artesians
F – A.J. Reynolds 6-56 Sr.
F – Zhane Capshaw 6-2 Sr.
G – Grady Gardner 6-2 Jr.
G – Hunter Stroud 5-11 Sr.
G – Ty Stroud 6-0 Jr.
