By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – After successfully starting a three-game road swing, Bedford North Lawrence will now face its toughest test so far this season.
The Stars, 2-2 following the expected victory over Mitchell, will make a little longer trip, and make a bigger jump in competition level, when they visit Bloomington South on Tuesday night. The Panthers (3-0 with a trio of impressive blowouts) will be a true measure of BNL’s improvement.
“It will be fun to see where we are, gauge where we are,” BNL coach Greg Burton said. “It’s overall the best team we have played. South is top notch. It will be good for us. We have our work cut our for us.”
South has thumped Northview (64-41), Columbus East (73-29) and Edgewood (60-35) thus far, and the Panthers have had an entire week to prepare for the renewal of this rivalry. And don’t think South hasn’t circled this game on the November calendar. BNL has won 13 straight in the series.
Julia Lashley leads South in scoring at 15.7 points per game, while Violet Hall adds 11.3.
“It will definitely be a good challenge for us,” BNL’s Miley Sherrill said. “We will see what we’re capable of. They’re always solid.”
BNL will counter with its balance of Sherrill (11.0 and in double digits each game), Tori Nikirk (8.0), and Katie Godlevske (6.3). The offensive issue (49.5 points per game) has been a shooting percentage of 33 percent, which includes a chilly 15 of 83 from long range. On the flip side, BNL has not allowed more than 45 points in any outing so far.
“We will need to make better decisions, try to get to the rim and not settle for jump shots,” Burton said. “I’m fine with shooting jump shots, but it’s after trying to get to the basket. But it can’t be your first option after three seconds every time down the court.
“We still have to get better. Our ball-screen, dribble-handoff defense is awful. There are certain things we don’t do well. We’ll get there. We’re still not anywhere we need to be, but it’s getting better.”
Last year, BNL rolled to a 52-40 win. Chloe Spreen had 22 points and Madisyn Bailey added 11, and the Stars took advantage of 27 South turnovers. Hall had 13 points and Lashley grabbed 10 rebounds for South.
BNL at BLOOMINGTON SOUTH
When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 2-2; Bloomington South 3-0
Last meeting: Last year at BNL, the Stars recorded a 52-40 victory. Chloe Spreen had 22 points and Madisyn Bailey added 11 for BNL. Violet Hall had 13 points for the Panthers, who were guilty of 27 turnovers.
Previous game story: After stinging slap, Stars strike back
Game notes: BNL has won 13 straight games in the series. South coach Larry Winters ranks 18th among active coaches with 346 career wins.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Miley Sherrill 5-9 So.
F – Trinidy Bailey 5-7 Jr.
G – Tori Nikirk 5-6 Sr.
G – Katie Godlevske 5-6 Sr.
G – Paige Burton 5-4 Jr.
Bloomington South Panthers
F – Violet Hall 6-1 Jr.
F – Julia Lashley 5-10 Jr.
G – Angela Rojas-Cepero 5-7 Fr.
G – Alaina Maki 5-8 Jr.
G – Aubrey Craft 5-9 Jr.
