By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – After two games were postponed on the shuffled schedule following the first blast of winter, Bedford North Lawrence will finally return to action, looking to end a seven-game losing streak and continue the quest for the Hoosier Hills Conference title.
The Stars will chip away and seek to melt the ice on their offense when they visit Columbus East on Tuesday night, the first of a three-game week to conclude the HHC chase. The struggling Olympians could be the needed log for the fire.
While BNL (4-12 overall) has been scuffling of late, East (1-14) has been suffering through a long campaign. The Olympians recorded their only win with a 67-35 conquest of Greenwood Christian during the holiday tournament at Hauser in late December. All the East losses (except for a 42-36 setback against Paoli) have been double-double setbacks, and the Olympians recently lost sophomore starter Lola Watkins to a season-ending knee injury.
BNL’s focus remains the conference title. With a great week, the Stars (2-1 in the HHC) could claim at least a share of the championship. That would start with a road win over East.
The first step will be igniting the offense. BNL has not scored more than 42 points during the skid, and the Stars are undefeated when hitting 50-plus this season. That would require a surge in the shooting percentage (30 overall, 24 from long range) and a boost in the individual output. Miley Sherrill leads the Stars (who have slipped to 41.0 points per game this season) at 9.9 per game.
BNL won last year’s game with ease, forcing 27 turnovers en route to a 71-35 win. Chloe Spreen and Madisyn Bailey scored 22 points each and Sherrill totaled 14.
The Stars will conclude their HHC run with a home clash against Jennings County on Thursday and a stern road test at Class 4A No.12 Floyd Central on Saturday.
BNL at COLUMBUS EAST
When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 4-12 (2-1 in HHC); Columbus East 1-14 (0-3 in HHC)
Sagarin ratings: BNL 67.74; Columbus East 50.73
Last meeting: Last year at BNL, the Stars cruised to a 71-35 victory. Chloe Spreen and Madisyn Bailey had 22 points each and Miley Sherrill added 14 for BNL, which triggered the mercy rule in the final minute. Messiah Trapp had 13 points for East, which was guilty of 27 turnovers.
Previous game story: What a relief for Stars
Game notes: BNL has won 22 HHC championships in program history, the last in 2023. The Stars have not scored more than 42 points during their seven-game skid. They’re 4-0 when scoring over 50.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Miley Sherrill 5-9 So.
F – Makaya Jackson 5-8 Sr.
G – Trinidy Bailey 5-7 Jr.
G – Tori Nikirk 5-6 Sr.
G – Jordynn Blann 5-2 So.
Columbus East Olympians
F- Kimberley Carothers 5-9 Sr.
G – Kenzie Cheek 5-5 Jr.
G – Ella Anthis 5-7 Jr.
G – Krea Martin 5-2 So.
G – Lucy Ross 5-6 So.
