By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Basketball’s circle of life, the cycle of champions, regenerates constantly at Bedford North Lawrence. As one generation succeeds, the next watches with sharp, keen, wide eyes of wonderment. They dream of joining that sisterhood, determined to continue the pattern in the future. They don that uniform with immeasurable pride.
Then in a blink, after four years of fantasy becomes treasured reality, their transformation from adoring admirers to role models is complete. Suddenly, like the flash of a shooting star across the night sky, they are seniors, about to hand the baton to their successors. Where did four years go?
BNL’s senior foursome can’t answer that. Just a brief time ago, they were freshmen, overwhelmed and intimidated. Now they’re preparing for the transition to the next chapter of their lives, about to show the world who they can become, butterflies about to spread their wings. It’s the most bittersweet of days, when they will walk out with parents and family to celebrate their careers, absorbing all the love from this basketball-crazed community. Don’t look back, because tears will flow when they realize what they will leave behind. Don’t look ahead, because there’s still work to do.
Chloe Spreen, Madisyn Bailey, Bella Jackson and Haleigh Canada will take their turn on center stage when the Stars celebrate Senior Day against Borden on Saturday afternoon. They’ll be in the starting lineup for this farewell in BNL Fieldhouse, a cathedral of banners, memories and tradition. They have added to that legacy.
They have distinct personalities. One’s as quiet as a church mouse, another can do all the talking for the group. Together, they have led the Stars to great accomplishments. BNL’s winning percentage (currently 89-13) during their four years is second-best in the state. That just scratches the surface of their true worth.
“They’re outstanding in character,” BNL coach Jeff Allen said. “There are really good basketball players in that bunch. But their character, what type of kids they are, that’s what the community can be proud of.”
Each has taken on different roles. Spreen is the undisputed star and vocal leader, Bailey is the soft-spoken angel with an assassin’s heart on the court, Jackson comes off the bench for valuable contributions, Canada is the consummate teammate whose playing time does not equal her value. They represent all that’s good about the program and what it takes for the tradition to continue. Each one talks about the supreme satisfaction in being a Lady Star.
“Since I was little, we’ve always wanted to be a Lady Star,” Jackson said. “It’s a proud thing to be.”
Their heroes included names like McKenzie Messmore, Irye Gomez, Alexa and Lauren Bailey (family, of course, must be mentioned) and others who set high standards of excellence. They have met those. Winning a state championship last season cemented their status.
“Growing up, we always looked up to them,” Bailey said. “It’s cool to be on the team now and see all the little kids looking up to us.”
Here’s what the next generation has witnessed.
Canada has appeared in eight games and scored four points. Her work was out of sight, but just as valuable in the team concept, her love for the game was always apparent. “Haleigh was in a tough spot,” Allen said. “You have to love being in the sport, love your teammates, and really want to represent your school. You have to have kids like that in the program to be successful, and kids like her are a big reason. She’s done a remarkable job. I can’t say enough about her character and how much fun she is to be around.”
“I grew up watching a bunch of Lady Stars who played before me, so knowing what it feels like to be a part of the team, and having little girls look up to me, it means a lot,” Canada said. “It will definitely be emotional, but I will also be proud and happy. These are the girls I’ve grown up with, we’ve played basketball forever, and I’ll be happy we made it to this point.”
And her life lesson? “Sometimes things get hard and you don’t want to do things,” she said. “But eventually it all works out.”
Jackson has made an impact in every game, including three previous starts. She plans to attend the University of Southern Indiana and become a radiologist – because she discovered there was too much blood and guts involved in nursing. That’s a little ironic because she’s not afraid of the rough-and-tumble interior. What she learned was coping with the difficult stuff.
“It’s how hard it is, to be honest,” Jackson said. “It’s not always easy. I learned to have a good mental attitude. I loved how many people come to watch us and how many people love this game here. I’ll be excited. I’m finally a senior, I will move on to new things. But I will be sad because I will miss my younger teammates, and the bonds I’ve made. The seniors I’ve grown up with, I’ve played with since the sixth grade, I’ll always have those memories.”
“Bella has had some great moments for us, played some important minutes,” Allen said. “She’s been a role player who has been graceful in that role, has accepted it and done her best.”
Bailey, a three-year starter who is averaging 10.5 points and a team-best 4.7 assists, will play for Marian University. She has been the designated defensive stopper, adding 3.3 steals per game, and takes it personally when her opponent scores.
“What I learned was how much I can affect the game without scoring,” she said. “Whenever I’m guarding someone, I don’t like it when they score on me.”
Her favorite memory? “All the bus rides, especially on the way home,” Bailey said, “listening to music and dancing.” Probably as a ringleader.
“My goodness, go back go the state championship and how those two kids (Bailey and Spreen) performed,” Allen said. “That says it all about them, about their ability and their desire to be the best they can be. They have represented this team, this community and this school as well as any player we’ve ever had.”
Spreen came into the system with greater expectations, fair or unfair, than any player before her. She was destined to be the next “Great One.” Four years later, she’s second on the career scoring list, she sports a state championship ring, and she’s the frontrunner for Miss Basketball. She’s met and exceeded all the predications.
“When I was younger, I was put in a lot of situations where there was pressure, coming out here as a freshman and playing to those expectations,” Spreen said. “Back then I really let it get to me. As I got older, I realized that’s not what this is about. I play the game because I love it, and I couldn’t let that get to my head. I just want to enjoy it.”
Her smile indicates she has had the time of her life.
“I’ve just loved the past four years,” Spreen said. “I love each and every one of the coaches. They push me to be somebody new each and every day, a better person every day. It means a lot. It will be sad on Senior Day, but all good things come to an end. We’ll go our separate ways, but I couldn’t ask for a better team, and to end it with the team we have right now.
“Making history last year was just an awesome thing for us. I’ve never been surrounded by a community that loves basketball likes this, and Bedford will always hold that in my heart. Indiana basketball is big, but girls basketball in this town makes us feel special. It’s heartwarming, a great atmosphere to play.”
She will take life lessons with her to Alabama for her college career. “I’ve learned so much,” Spreen said. “Days are long, and you have your ups and downs. But it’s gone so fast. It’s just crazy that our last home game is Saturday.”
Each graduating class leaves after making its own mark. For Allen, the foursome will be unforgettable.
“It’s been a fun group of kids,” he said. “They’ve accomplished a lot in four years, and I’ve been very proud of of them.
“Every day, we have fun out there in practice. That’s important. I want to win as many games as I can, but I wouldn’t do this if I’m not having fun. And we’ve had a lot of fun with these four kids.”
Senior Day festivities are set between the junior varsity (which will start at noon and play only two quarters) and varsity games. The clash with Borden will get underway 25 minutes after the conclusion of the senior celebration.
