By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Everyone with Indiana basketball in their blood can cite almost every line of Hoosiers, still the film that best illustrates this state’s love of the game. Norman Dale, the crusty coach, had many memorable quotes. One best describes Bedford North Lawrence’s outlook for the 2024-25 campaign.
“I’ve seen you guys can shoot, but there’s more to the game than shooting. There’s fundamentals and defense.”
The Stars have shooters and scorers, enough firepower to cause considerable damage and keep opposing coaches awake at night while compiling the scouting report. The main questions they must answer, especially when considering the graduation hit from the backcourt, will center on other key areas. Can they protect, both the basket and the basketball? Will they profit in the protection racket to extort more wins? An affirmative answer could lead to a special season.
BNL will start the new campaign on Tuesday night, when they welcome Bloomington North, coached by BNL alum Jason Speer, to BNL Fieldhouse for the debut performance. Both teams have issues to address, although North has the greater immediate need while waiting for key personnel to return from injuries.
From the BNL standpoint, the Stars have returning experience and explosive weapons. Senior guard Patric Matson averaged 20.1 points and 4.5 rebounds last season, and he was extremely deadly (50 percent from 3-point range) from the perimeter. BNL is expecting additional perimeter scoring from senior Quincy Pickett (4.8 a year ago) and wing Dax Short (2.3), plus interior power from senior Logan Miracle (6.0 points and 3.7 boards while shooting 72 percent). That foursome will be joined by senior Isaiah Sasser (2.3) in the lineup.
The losses from last season (13-9) are significant. Noah Godlevske (14.5 with 72 treys) was a constant threat, while guards Trace Rynders and Maddox Ray were defensive stoppers. BNL must show that same toughness on that end, and limit turnovers with an upbeat tempo. The Stars must also develop some depth, because everyone else is making the move up one level.
“We have to do what we did last year,” Matson said. “We have to play strong and show them what we have.”
“They have a tremendous amount of experience, and they’re obviously well coached,” Speer said. “Every single player they have fits a need for them. They can take the ball to the basket, they can be tough inside, and they’re very good shooters. They pose a big challenge.”
North will be searching for short-term answers while waiting for senior Luke Lindeman (17.5 points and 6.8 boards last year) to return from a knee injury. That means 6-5 junior Jalen Williams (11.3, 5.7) and sophomore guard J.R. Cross will play bigger roles. Senior guard Caleb Fishel is also currently sidelined with an ankle injury.
“Jalen and J.R. are very good players, they’re a very good dynamic duo for us,” Speer said. “We are trying to figure out what we can do well. We’ll see how we do, we hope to compete.”
BNL won last year’s clash 59-54, rallying from a 30-22 deficit in the third quarter. Matson scored 17 points and Godlevske added 14 as the Stars won their first season opener in six years. Lindeman had 18 points and Williams added 13 for the Cougars, who started last season 1-7 before catching fire to finish 12-12.
“We certainly got better against some very good competition,” Speer said. “That was a very tough schedule, even if you are a talented and experienced team. We adjusted and finished strong.”
“It’s a great matchup for us because it’s very similar to a conference game for us, with their size, length and athleticism,” BNL coach Kurt Godlevske said. “We have to have kids step up to make plays defensively, guard them and make it difficult for them. We have to execute our offense.
“It will be a tough game. It will be whoever can settle down and get into their game first.”
BNL needs a fast start. The Stars play their first two games at home, then hit the road for six straight and won’t return to BNL Fieldhouse until Jan. 11.
“We feel like we will be competitive with anybody,” Godlevske said. “Playing well and having success in the first game would be a huge thing for us.”
“I think it will be a fun game,” Pickett said. “We have to have the mindset of playing as hard as we can, as tough as we can.”
BLOOMINGTON NORTH at BNL
When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Bloomington North 0-0; BNL 0-0
Last meeting: Last year at North, the Stars rallied in the second half to conquer the Cougars 59-54. Patric Matson scored 17 points for BNL. Luke Lindeman had 18 points and 7 rebounds for North.
Previous game story: First things first for Stars
Game notes: Jason Speer, a BNL alum, owns 221 career coaching wins in 15 seasons, including a 106-58 record in 7 years at North. BNL has not won back-to-back season openers since 2017.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Dax Short 6-2 Jr.
F – Isaiah Sasser 6-1 Sr.
C – Logan Miracle 6-5 Sr.
G – Patric Matson 6-3 Sr.
G – Quincy Pickett 6-3 Sr.
Bloomington North Cougars
F – Jalen Williams 6-5 Jr.
F – Levi Lindeman 6-5 So.
G – Rex Speer 6-2 Jr.
G – Nate Walker 6-0 So.
G – J.R. Cross 6-2 So.
