By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – The definition for malaise – a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness whose exact cause is difficult to identify – perfectly describes the current condition of Bedford North Lawrence basketball.
Back-to-back losses, for a program that’s not accustomed to skids or glitches over the last richly-blessed 18 years, have caused frowns of consternation, created questions of concern as the Stars (14-4) head into the final three weeks of the regular season. Panic would be a foolish reaction, and there’s no need for that.
Are there issues? Certainly, as the statistics and the eye test can prove. Are there fixes? Definitely, as BNL’s talent still exists. Don’t forget, beating the defending state champion is a huge trophy to be mounted on the wall, and meeting that challenge 18 times thus far has been a mental test more than a physical one. In addition, BNL’s rugged schedule (the Sagarin rating continues to climb as the strength of schedule adds to that mathematical equation) has not allowed many chances to breathe.
The Stars will be in recovery mode when they host Columbus East (4-12) on Tuesday night. This could be the chance to avoid the first three-game losing streak in seven years, correct any problems and inject some confidence into a roster that looks a little weary, a step slow to think or react.
“I just don’t know that we’re playing with a lot of confidence right now, and I don’t know why,” BNL coach Jeff Allen said following Saturday’s loss at Castle. “We have to figure it out. We have four games left before the tournament to figure it out. If there’s a magic answer, somebody let me know. We’ll go back to work.“
BNL’s standard of quality is higher than most. It comes with the jersey and the tradition. If the slippage is noticeable now, it actually started seven games ago, a win over Brownsburg that marks one of the last high-grade performances. During the recent span (taking the impressive win over Noblesville out of the equation), the Stars are shooting only 34 percent.
Three of the four losses share commonality of turnovers (15.3 per game, with the Jennings County setback as that exception) and low scoring (39.3 points per game, with Castle out of the mix). The reason for the worrying after the Castle loss was the fact BNL broke down in three phases (turnovers, shooting and defense) that are normally its foundation. That’s always a concoction for a loss.
Allen still saw positives. BNL shot 50 percent, and hit five treys, in the second half at Castle. Madisyn Bailey, who had been battling a slump, came roaring back to life with 19 points. There’s no magic necessary, just raising the level of kinetic energy and execution back to mid-season levels. Like in the movie Moonstruck, when Cher smacked Nicolas Cage and yelled “Snap out of it!” Take better care of the ball, make shots, play tougher defense. Problem solved.
“I hope the second half was a step in the right direction,” Allen said. “Being down to a good team on the road, fighting our way back. We’re just making bad decisions at critical times.”
East, with the Stars in their foul mood, could be walking into a hornet’s nest in BNL Fieldhouse.
The Olympians are in transition under first-year coach Kaitlyn Phillips, a former assistant at Whiteland. They’re averaging only 37.5 points per game following the graduation of Indiana All-Star Saige Stahl. Senior guard Madelyn Poe is the only double-figure scorer at 11.9.
BNL will counter with super senior Chloe Spreen (20.2 points, 7.1 rebounds), Bailey (9.8 points) and freshman Miley Sherrill (9.5).
COLUMBUS EAST at BNL
When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Columbus East 4-12 (1-2 in HHC); BNL 14-4 (3-1 in HHC)
Sagarin ratings: Columbus East 64.09; BNL 92.98
Last meeting: Last year at East, Karsyn Norman exploded for a career-high 37 points (including 7 treys) as the Stars stopped the Olympians 81-60. Saige Stahl had 29 points for East.
Previous game story: Norman points the way
Game notes: BNL has not lost three straight games (North Central, Jeffersonville, Zionsville) since the 2016-17 season. The Stars are currently averaging 53.4 points per game, their lowest output since the 2015-16 campaign. BNL dropped to No.17 in the IBCA poll, which does not divide by classes.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Chloe Spreen 5-10 Sr.
F – Miley Sherrill 5-9 Fr.
G – Madisyn Bailey 5-9 Sr.
G – Trinidy Bailey 5-7 So.
G – Tori Nikirk 5-6 Jr.
Columbus East Olympians
F – Messiah Tripp 5-9 Sr.
F – Caroline Frost 6-1 Sr.
G – Madelyn Poe 5-7 Sr.
G – Jenna Guse 5-9 Sr.
G – Victoria Cuhadar 5-6 Sr.
