By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Two contrasting styles always create an interesting, unpredictable dynamic.
Bedford North Lawrence, with its perimeter weapons, will look to speed up patient Loogootee when the Stars begin a three-game road swing at Jack Butcher Arena on Tuesday night. BNL (12-5) prefers a quicker tempo, while the Lions (10-7) are comfortable with the lower-possessions, lower-score pace.
“It will be difficult because of the style they play, how physical they are,” BNL coach Kurt Godlevske said. “It can be slowed paced, and it’s difficult to speed things up. They have the size and guard play to do that.”
The Lions (10-7) have struggled of late, dropping three of their last four. Their last outing was a heartbreaker, as Class A No.3 Orleans hit a halfcourt shot at the buzzer for a 35-32 win at Loogootee. Senior forward Isaac Waggner had 14 points and senior guard Leighton Jeffers added 13 for the Lions.
Loogootee is averaging only 47.9 points per game under first-year coach Dave Smith (a former girls coach with the Lions and a former boys assistant under Butcher), and the Lions have been held under 45 points in all seven of their setbacks. They’ve topped 50 only once in the last nine games.
BNL will counter with the high-scoring duo of junior Patric Matson (19.2) and senior Noah Godlevske (15.1). The Stars have taken 43 percent of their shots from 3-point range this season, yet they are still connecting on 51 percent of total shots.
Last year, BNL posted a thrilling 55-53 victory over the Lions at BNL Fieldhouse. Colten Leach stumbled through traffic in the lane and converted a layup at the buzzer for the game winner, capping his 17-point night. Peyton Bledsoe had 22 points and Parker Arvin 18 for Loogootee.
BNL at LOOGOOTEE
When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 12-5; Loogootee 10-7
Sagarin ratings: BNL 78.17; Loogootee 72.05
Last meeting: Last year at BNL, Colten Leach scored on a layup at the buzzer as BNL escaped with a 55-53 win. Leach had 17 points and Colton Staggs added 13 for the Stars. Peyton Bledsoe had 22 points and Parker Arvin totaled 18 for the Lions
Previous game story: Leach’s fumble recovery powers Stars
Game notes: BNL leads the series 8-6. The Stars have won three straight since the series renewed in 2020.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Patric Matson 6-3 Jr.
F – Logan Miracle 6-4 Jr.
G – Noah Godlevske 5-11 Sr.
G – Trace Rynders 5-11 Sr.
G – Maddox Ray 5-11 Sr.
Loogootee Lions
F – Drew Walker 6-3 Sr.
F – Isaac Waggner 6-3 Sr.
G – Brandon Bledsoe 5-9 Sr.
G – Leighton Jeffers 5-10 Sr.
G – Wade Walton 5-11 Jr.
