By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Winston Churchill’s famous quote – “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it” – applies to Bedford North Lawrence’s present state.
The Stars, coming off back-to-back losses, have absorbed tough lessons during their 2-4 start. Potential wins got away during late letdowns or prolonged minutes of unfortunate mistakes. The margin for error is narrow. Now BNL has reached a critical juncture, the start of Hoosier Hills Conference competition, with a chance to apply what it has learned.
BNL will begin the quest for a coveted league title when it welcomes New Albany to BNL Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs (1-7) have their own problems, and history favors the Stars in this series. Right now, that’s little solace.
“Tradition and the history are out the window when both teams are completely different,” BNL coach Greg Burton said. “Because of where we are in our season, we need a win. Being a conference game means a little bit more, plus it’s a sectional opponent. So we need to win this one, we need to bad.”
New Albany, in the early stages of rebuilding the entire program after it was reduced to a handful of players last year, has lost seven straight this season, and the Stars have dominated recent clashes with the Bulldogs, winning 10 straight by an average of 35 points. That includes two runaway wins last season as New Albany battled to survive. However, BNL is not in a position to take anything for granted.
“They’re athletic, they’re young, they do some good things,” Burton said. “Their young kids are talented. It will not be easy, we will have our work cut out for us. It will be tough, we won’t take them lightly at all.”
BNL is looking to rebound from a frustrating loss at Class 2A No.3 North Knox. The Stars were in control until the last three minutes of the third quarter, when a nine-point lead vanished. That span erased a lot of quality work.
“I thought we played well for the majority of that game,” Burton said when reviewing the 46-40 setback. “I thought we outplayed them for the majority of the game. But the part they outplayed us, it was substantial. We just have to put together 32 minutes, and we were pretty close against North Knox. If we do that against New Albany, I feel pretty good about it.”
BNL’s barometer remains the offense. In their losses, the Stars have averaged only 36.3 points per game, and they’re shooting only 30 percent as a team (including 23 of 117 from long range). Miley Sherrill is the only scorer in double digits at 10.7. Trinidy Bailey totaled 12 at North Knox.
Last year, the Stars had little trouble with the Bulldogs. During the regular-season meeting, BNL blasted to a 53-18 halftime lead and cruised to an 86-30 triumph (with a running clock for the entire second half). Chloe Spreen had 23 points, Madisyn Bailey added 21 and Sherrill totaled 13.
In the sectional rematch, BNL went on a 25-0 run in the second quarter en route to a 58-24 victory. Spreen had 20 points, Madisyn Bailey finished with 18, and the Stars forced 24 turnovers. Emily Spainhour, New Albany’s lone returning starter this season, reached double digits in both games.
BNL will start the chase for its 23rd HHC championship.
NEW ALBANY at BNL
When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Records: New Albany 1-7 (0-0 in HHC); BNL 2-4 (0-0 in HHC)
Sagarin ratings: New Albany 68.78; BNL 73.79
Last meeting: Last year, the Stars swept two meetings, posting an 86-30 win at New Albany during the regular season and a 58-24 triumph in the Class 4A sectional opener at Floyd Central.
Previous game story: Perfect second-quarter blitz powers BNL
Game notes: BNL has won 10 straight in the series by an average of 35.0 points. New Albany has won only two of the last 28 meetings. The Stars have not lost three straight games since the 2016-17 season.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Miley Sherrill 5-9 So.
F – Trinidy Bailey 5-7 Jr.
F – Makaya Jackson 5-8 Sr.
G – Tori Nikirk 5-6 Sr.
G – Jordynn Blann 5-2 So.
New Albany Bulldogs4
F – Sophia Corley 5-7 Sr.
F – Emily Spainhour 5-9 So.
G – Gracie Matheny 5-6 Fr.
G – Claire Webster 5-8 Fr.
G – Rylan Byars 5-9 Sr.
