By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Some records are remembered forever, others would be better erased or forgotten.
Bedford North Lawrence, locked in a late-season skid, hopes to avoid a rather ignominious mark. The Stars will look to end a frustrating five-game losing streak when they visit Evansville North during the final road trip of the regular season on Saturday night.
In the 50-plus year history of the program, BNL has never lost six consecutive games. The current quintet matches a mark set several times, the last during the 2016-17 season. BNL’s slump has come against four teams (taking Floyd Central out of the equation) with a 68-11 combined record.
Evansville North (9-11 after a 51-39 Friday night loss to Castle) will not be an easy mark. In fact, according to the Sagarin computer power ratings, the two teams are virtually dead even. If the Huskies need motivation, they’ve lost three straight at home. If the Stars need it, avoiding history should be the spur.
North will feature junior Bryson Chapman (16.6 points, 8.1 rebounds) as its leader, but the focal point will be on 6-10 senior center Kellen English, who contributes 8.5 points and 6.9 boards. More importantly, he averages 3.3 blocks – and at least as many altered shots, which isn’t a tangible stat but should be.
“That kid is much improved,” BNL coach Kurt Godlevske said. “He’s a presence inside, someone who we have to worry about because of his ability to get put-backs and lobs around the basket. They play a spread-out zone because he can sit in there and protect the rim.
“They have lot of good pieces. They have size, they have really good guards. For us to go on the road, give ourselves an opportunity, we will have to play well.”
BNL’s eyes typically light up a little against a zone, because perimeter shooting has been a strength with Patric Matson (19.3 points) and Quincy Pickett (9.1). That duo has combined for 96 treys this season.
The Stars won last year’s meeting 60-43. Noah Godlevske and Matson scored 21 points each, and BNL opened with a 14-0 run that buried the Huskies. Brayden Huebner had 13 points for North.
Both teams will learn their postseason path when the IHSAA announces the sectional pairings on Sunday.
BNL at EVANSVILLE NORTH
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 8-10; Evansville North 9-11
Sagarin ratings: BNL 75.60; Evansville North 75.97
Series: BNL leads 10-3
Last meeting: Last year at BNL, the Stars posted a 60-43 victory on Senior Day. Noah Godlevske and Patric Matson had 21 points each for BNL. Brayden Huebner scored 13 points for the Huskies.
Previous game story: Perfect start, great finish
Game notes: BNL has never lost six straight games in program history.
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.
Evansville North Huskies
F – Bryson Chapman 6-3 Jr.
F – Carson Cashmer 6-4 Jr.
C – Kellen English 6-10 Sr.
G – Seab Johnson 6-0 Jr.
G – Sena Gore 6-3 Jr.
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