By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Where have you gone, Bedford North Lawrence basketball? This holiday gap in the season feels like John Lennon’s final single – just like starting over.
Idle since Dec. 20, the Stars will finally return to action, and they will make up for lost time. BNL will embark on a hectic January schedule, nine games on the calendar, beginning with Tuesday’s clash against slumping Martinsville.
The Stars went into the hiatus with a three-game winning streak, although that momentum has been difficult to maintain during two weeks of mundane, yet beneficial, practice sessions. In fact, when coach Kurt Godlevske mentioned the upcoming overflow of contests at the end of a recent workout, and how that would limit future practice sessions, one of the Stars blurted out an audible “All right!” Which reveals what they thought of the down time.
“Any time you can practice and correct things, it’s really good,” Godlevske said. “But at the same time, it gets to be a little repetitive for the kids.”
The restart after the 13-day break is similar to the beginning of official practice sessions in November. The Stars couldn’t wait to face an opponent during that time, and they did so with the IHSAA-sanctioned scrimmage at Martinsville. Now with a twist of coincidence, they’ll repeat that sequence by facing the Artesians once again, hoping to repeat their performance and outcome in the preseason test. BNL totaled a 64-45 difference in those four quarters, although those scripted defensive sets will have little bearing on this real thing.
Martinsville (3-6) has gone through growing pains, losing three straight and five of its last six, with three sophomores in the starting lineup. One of those is the scoring leader in Grady Gardner (20.3), and Jace Lafary adds 11.1 points. BNL got a close look at them in the scrimmage, when Gardner totaled 17 points and Lafary added 14.
“When they start making shots, they can be a very scary team,” Godlevske said. “They move the ball, and Gardner’s done a great job of instilling confidence in them. It’s what he can do with the basketball and how he can score. He gives them a lot more freedom to do what they’re good at, which is play up-tempo and attack, be aggressive and physical on both ends of the floor.”
Nobody was hotter than the Stars prior to Christmas. BNL won its last three while shooting 57 percent from the floor (including that same impressive number from long range). Junior wing Patric Matson is averaging 19.5 and senior sniper Noah Godlevske is totaling 18.8. The Stars will need to keep those embers glowing as they face this busy stretch with the confidence of recent success.
“We need it,” Godlevske said. “Having so many young and inexperienced kids, learning how to win, believing you’re going to win going into every game, is a huge thing. As long as we keep playing hard, we’ll have chances to win.”
BNL won last year’s clash with Martinsville 60-53. Colten Leach had 19 points and 16 boards, while Colton Staggs had 19 points and Godlevske added 14 in the series renewal.
MARTINSVILLE at BNL
When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Martinsville 3-6; BNL 4-2
Sagarin ratings: Martinsville 64.77; BNL 82.19
Last meeting: Last year at Martinsville, the Stars rolled to a 60-53 win. Colton Staggs and Colten Leach scored 19 points each for BNL, while Caleb Cheatham totaled 22 points for the Artesians.
Previous games story: Stars, Staggs throw a party
Game notes: BNL leads the series 27-12. Martinsville is making its first trip to BNL Fieldhouse since the 2012-13 season.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Patric Matson 6-3 Jr.
F – Logan Miracle 6-4 Jr.
G – Maddox Ray 5-11 Sr.
G – Noah Godlevske 5-11 Sr.
G – Trace Rynders 5-11 Sr.
Martinsville Artesians
F – A.J. Reynolds 6-4 Jr.
F – Grady Gardner 6-1 So.
G – Hunter Stroud 5-11 Jr.
G – Jace Lafary 5-10 So.
G – Mason Dodson 5-11 So.
