By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
MOORESVILLE – The debut was superb, for a defending state champion that guarded like a title was at stake, for a nervous freshman who found her niche among those she watched and admired just a few months ago.
A sensational start was the springboard to a surprising runaway finish as No.4 Bedford North Lawrence opened the 2023-24 regular season with a dominating road victory. Paced by a superstar and her silent sidekick, with the added bonus of a rookie who played like a veteran, the Stars reduced Mooresville’s offense to rubble and roared to a 58-31 win on Thursday night.
Chloe Spreen, the audacious Miss Basketball candidate, scored 22 points while senior Madisyn Bailey totaled 17. Those are the expected numbers from that pair. The X factor was freshman Miley Sherrill, who scored 14 points as BNL blasted off on this encore journey with an impressive performance.
Consider that BNL’s last four trips to Mooresville had ended with two losses and two 3-point escapes. That’s why BNL coach Jeff Allen was cautious and apprehensive about this opener. Then consider that the Stars exploded to a 24-3 lead during the first 10-plus minutes and didn’t allow Mooresville’s second field goal until the 2:21 mark of the second quarter.
The Pioneers (1-1) had a huge height advantage, with two 6-footers in the starting lineup and another coming off the bench. BNL cut them down to a manageable, if not noticeably overwhelmed, level. Mooresville shot a dismal 25 percent, and had to get hot in the fourth quarter to do that. Evidently BNL took the “defending” part of this season quite literally and seriously.
“We did an outstanding job, of taking what our game plan was defensively – we have to design and scheme a defense for each opponent – they really guarded well,” Allen said. “They were really focused and keyed in on helping each other. A great defensive effort.”
Any potential drama was quickly diffused when BNL erupted for 20 consecutive points to that 24-3 advantage. The Stars splashed three treys against Mooresville’s zone to light the fuse, then started the second quarter with Sherrill’s layup, Spreen’s hustling offensive rebound, and Bailey steal for a breakaway. Mooresville ended the run with two free throws at 4:19, finally got its second field goal at 2:21, and fell into a 30-10 well at intermission.
“We held it together,” Spreen said. “We were pretty composed, calm. I knew we would be fine. We held ourselves accountable to our expectations.”
BNL’s biggest lead came early in the fourth. Spreen capped a fast break with a snazzy spinning layup and 3-point play as a highlight late in the third, and Katie Godlevske buried a trey for a 47-19 difference. The Stars cruised from there.
The numbers were all amazing. BNL hit six treys (with Bailey the Elder going 4 of 5) and shot a smart 20 of 39 overall. The Stars were only guilty of seven turnovers, and Spreen corralled 9 rebounds.
“Ball movement was great,” Allen said. “We made shots early and they came out of the zone. Then we had a speed advantage, attacking them on the dribble. We shot well – except for free throws. Madisyn and Chloe are pretty good, those kids can really create some offense for you. When you shoot the ball and defend like that, we will be tough to handle.”
Sherrill was admittedly anxious until she scored the game’s first basket (off a Bailey assist). Then she almost never missed. What a way to begin a career.
“I was nervous, at the start. Then I got my first basket, and I knew we would be good,” Sherrill said. “I knew (Spreen and Bailey) would draw a lot of attention. When they have two people on them, I just try to find the gap. And layups are easy buckets.
“It’s amazing. From watching them on the sidelines at state last year, it’s something I wanted to be a part of. I’ve been waiting for this day since the first grade.”
From first grade to first varsity game, Sherrill made an immediate impact.
“She’s definitely capable,” Allen said. “She has the physical aspects to do it, she has the intelligence and skill. Now all she needs is experience and confidence. This could be a great boost for her. This was a really good team that’s well coached, and she performed pretty well.”
Rachel Harshman paced Mooresville with 10 points and 9 boards, while Lyla Jacobs came off the bench to score 9 points. The Pioneers were a frigid 5 of 33 from the floor during the first three quarters.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Spreen said. “We were ready.”
BNL will return to action on Tuesday at Bloomington North.
BEDFORD NL STARS (58)
3s FGs FTs R F Pts
2 Chloe Spreen, f 1-3 6-13 9-11 9 2 22
20 Bella Jackson, f 0-0 1-1 0-2 3 1 2
22 Miley Sherrill, f 0-0 6-7 2-2 2 3 14
24 Madisyn Bailey, g 4-5 6-11 1-4 6 3 17
32 Trinidy Bailey, g 0-2 0-2 0-0 3 3 0
12 Tori Nikirk 0-1 0-1 0-0 0 1 0
23 Katie Godlevske 1-4 1-4 0-0 1 0 3
11 Haleigh Canada 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
44 Paige Burton 0-0 0-1 0-0 0 0 0
Totals 6-15 20-39 12-19 26 13 58
MOORESVILLE PIONEERS (31)
3s FGs FTs R F Pts
32 Ava Shafer, f 0-5 1-7 0-0 4 4 2
33 Rachel Harshman, f 0-2 3-11 4-8 9 5 10
45 Kalyn Bunch, c 0-1 0-2 0-0 4 5 0
11 Emma McGinley, g 2-4 2-5 0-0 4 2 6
10 Sydney Hardy, g 0-1 0-4 0-0 1 0 0
3 Lyla Jacobs 1-5 4-11 0-0 1 1 9
44 Randee Garringer 0-0 1-3 2-6 4 2 4
12 Addi VanWanzeele 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
21 Sam Grover 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0
Totals 3-19 11-44 6-12 32 18 31
Bedford NL 18 12 14 14 – 58
Mooresville 3 7 9 12 – 31
Turnovers – BNL 7, Mooresville 15
Field goal percentage – BNL 20-39 (.513); Mooresville 11-44 (.250)
Free three percentage – BNL 12-19 (.632); Mooresville 6-12 (.500)
