By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – With other programs, players grow like weeds, which explains why almost every opponent on the Bedford North Lawrence schedule has started one, or more, six-foot-plus athletes in the lineup. Must be the limestone in the local water that stunts the growth.
The Stars, vertically challenged by comparison, have to counter size with other strengths. Fundamentals, defense, speed, basketball intelligence. They lie in wait in the weeds, the carnivore hunter that pounces on prey that knows the danger but still ventures into the jungle.
BNL will face another tall task on Thursday night when the No.7 Stars tangle with Silver Creek. The Dragons (6-3) feature another high-level, higher-eye-level talent in Brooklynn Renn, a 6-2 sophomore who already holds recruiting offers from Louisville, Purdue, Butler and other programs across the Midwest.
Somebody needs to feel sorry for BNL freshman Miley Sherrill, a 5-9 forward by nature but a post by necessity this season. She’s given away enough inches to make a mile during BNL’s 10-1 start, yet she’s shown no signs of Napoleon’s Complex.
“You have to compete with what you have,” BNL coach Jeff Allen said. “She got stuck with the job. She’s done a great job. She’s smart, she has some strength and athleticism, and she’s a competitor. She’s taken that job and really accepted it. It’s tough to be freshman in that position, especially against some of the quality post players we’ve seen.”
Renn will present a different set of skills to combat. She’s equally comfortable on the perimeter or in the paint, while averaging 13 points per game.
“Her biggest strength is the defensive side of the ball,” Silver Creek coach Scott Schoen said. “She alters so many shots, rebounds well. Now she’s improving her offense, her outside shot, she’s worked hard on her perimeter game. We play her in the post, but she can step out and be very effective. Her upside is tremendous.”
The Dragons will also rely on production from junior guard Lydia Wright (10.2) and sophomore Emma Schoen (10.6).
“They want to pressure, really try to force people to play out of their comfort zone,” Allen said. “We have to handle that pace, do what we do, not let them dictate what we do in tempo. They have a good inside-outside combination. If we can keep them contained and dictate our pace, I like our chances.”
Silver Creek has been a curious puzzle. All three losses (Jennings County, Floyd Central and Scottsburg) have come at home. And the Dragons have dropped back-to-back games to the Highlanders (50-45) and 3A No.7 Warriors (49-46 on Tuesday night). SIlver Creek trailed 29-10 at halftime (after failing to score in the second quarter) of their latest outing, then rallied late before falling short. Renn had 19 points despite foul trouble.
“We didn‘t play well, didn’t shoot well at all,” Schoen said. “Felt like we were running in mud. We’re figuring things out as we go. We got off to a great start. We have a group of kids with a year of varsity basketball under their belts. Sometimes we play like that, sometimes we play like we haven’t got any.”
BNL will counter with Miss Basketball candidate Chloe Spreen, who’s averaging 22.6 points and 6.6 rebounds, plus do-everything senior Madisyn Bailey (11.3 points, 5.2 assists, 3.9 steals) and Sherrill (9.4 points).
“I like the resilience of my kids,” Allen said. “We’re facing a lot of challenges, based on size, and we figure out a way to get it done. You have to be happy with kids that are willing to compete and figure it out. These kids have a ton of experience now.”
“They’re BNL,” Schoen said. “They just grow them in the weeds. They’ve got a well-rounded basketball team. They just know how to play. It’s not just Spreen. She’s a huge piece of everything, but they have so many other pieces. When you’re used to winning, you don’t know any different. It’s like a machine.”
BNL won last year’s clash 67-29. Spreen had 29 points, Mallory Pride added 15, while Bailey totaled 11 points and 11 rebounds. The Dragons were guilty of 27 turnovers, which led to a lot of BNL transition baskets. Renn had 10 points for the Dragons.
Silver Creek hasn’t suffered through a three-game losing skid since the 2017-18 season.
SILVER CREEK at BNL
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Silver Creek 6-3; BNL 10-1, ranked No.7 in Class 4A
Sagarin ratings: Silver Creek 82.90; BNL 92.44
Last meeting: Last year at Silver Creek, the Stars stormed to a 67-29 win. Chloe Spreen scored 29 points while Madisyn Bailey had 11 points and 11 rebounds for BNL. Brooklynn Renn had 10 points for the Dragons, who were guilty of 27 turnovers.
Previous game story: Spreen, Stars run away from Silver Creek
Game notes: BNL leads the series 5-0. Silver Creek coach Scott Schoen recently won his 200th career game with the program.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Chloe Spreen 5-10 Sr.
F – Miley Sherrill 5-9 Fr.
G – Madisyn Bailey 5-9 Sr.
G – Trinidy Bailey 5-7 So.
G – Tori Nikirk 5-6 Jr.
Silver Creek Dragons
F – Brooklynn Renn 6-2 So.
G – Lydia Wright 5-7 Jr.
G – Kiki Gant 5-2 Sr.
G – Emma Schoen 5-6 So.
G – Katey Rooney 5-2 Jr.
