By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Peaks and valleys are the defining moments of life’s great thrill ride. Climbing the summit is the reward for surviving the low points. Richard Nixon, the embattled former President, explained the roller coaster of ultimate highs and deep caverns of difficulty best: “Only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.”
During their four-year careers, Bedford North Lawrence’s senior class has been to the top. They own state championship rings to prove that. They’ve been a part of multiple sectional titles. Now they’re learning how to appreciate that success as they navigate through a tough conclusion to their time with the program. Their final season, one of transition, has not been what they envisioned.
They have not let the struggles define them or deter them. They have reached the end, wiser from the lessons, richer from the experience. They have earned the honor that awaits all those who have endured.
BNL’s Makaya Jackson, Katie Godlevske, Harryson Hayes, Trinity Schmeichel and Tori Nikirk will celebrate their Senior Day when the Stars host Orleans in the regular-season home finale on Saturday afternoon. Their last appearance in BNL Fieldhouse will include the usual pomp and circumstance, the tears of time’s passing, the celebration of their contributions and sacrifices to one of the state’s best programs.
During their first three seasons, winning was all they knew. BNL went 71-11 during that span, including the 27-3 campaign that concluded with the Class 4A state title in 2023. Now they’re battling through the valley at 5-14. Winning on Senior Day would create one of the best memories.
They will start together, hoping to celebrate together in their finale. They will approach this milestone with the same mindset – style and a smile – that has gotten them through the great times and the rough moments.
“You try your best to stay positive through it all,” Schmeichel said. “It’s difficult, you just have to find the positive parts. It’s our Senior Day, we would love to win.“
Victory is not guaranteed, even though BNL has not lost a home finale since 2010 during this spoiling and epic run of success. Orleans will not be a sacrificial pushover. The elder Stars realize they will need to be at their best.
“We fight each game,” Nikirk said. “But to come out and win on a special day would mean a lot to us.”
What have they learned during their four years? Determination, drive, resiliency. They have leaned on each other.
“Don’t give up on a sport you love doing,” Hayes said. “I want to end my senior season with a win.”
“We’ve definitely relied more on each other as teammates and friends,” Godlevske said.
“We get motivation from each other,” Jackson said. “We’re a supportive team, always cheering on each other and picking each other up. We’ve driven each other.”
Now they must go through this most emotional of days, the walk to midcourt with loved ones, the applause from a fan base that showers their beloved Stars with adoration. Wearing the BNL uniform with pride and distinction has been their honor.
“It means a lot, even though we’re having a difficult season,” Nikirk said. “It’s still something we’re very proud to be a part of. We know it’s not how we want it to be, but there’s nothing we can change now. We’re just moving on to the next game.
“You have to take everything slow, take it day by day. Keep pushing your teammates to push through and fight for what we want.”
That’s not the only interesting storyline for his game. Orleans coach Jared Gilbert, a BNL alum, will mark his return to the court where he made a lot of his own memories. He was a key part of the 1995 team that went undefeated during the regular season before falling to Jeffersonville in a classic overtime thriller in the semistate final.
His Bulldogs (15-4 and ranked No.6 in Class A) have bite. When he took over the Orleans program nine years ago, his goal was to build BNL South.
“We hoped we could get to the point where we wanted to play that caliber of program and team that will test us,” Gilbert said. “It will be a good opportunity, going into the sectional, to have a tough opponent with a lot of tradition. It’s a huge challenge for us.”
Orleans will feature junior guard Callie Alston (14.2 points, 5.2 rebounds) and a balanced supporting cast led by Mylie Knight (9.1). The Bulldogs were ranked No.1 in Class A for a brief time while rocketing to 14-1, then they hit a brutal part of their schedule with losses to Class A No.10 White River Valley (61-57), Class A No.3 Borden (47-34) and 2A No.8 Lanesville (51-41). They bounced back to beat Crawford County 44-30 and clinch the outright Patoka Lake Athletic Conference title on Thursday night.
“We were going the wrong way,” Gilbert said. “You want to be battle tested going into the tournament. The more we can be in situations where we have pressure on us, it will help us. Even though we’ve had a tough stretch, it will help us prepare.”
BNL will be the first 4A opponent for the Bulldogs since the 2020-21 season.
“They’re bigger and stronger than a lot of teams we play,” Gilbert said. “They put on a lot of ball pressure, more than we see during the year. So we have to handle that. If we can do that, get in the halfcourt and get some things done, hopefully we will be OK.
“They have struggled shooting at times, but you still have to guard them. They’re definitely capable, and I’m sure they’ll be fired up. They’re hungry to get a win.”
Both teams will learn their postseason fate when the IHSAA announces the state tournament draw on Sunday.
ORLEANS at BNL
When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Records: Orleans 15-4 (ranked No.6 in Class A); BNL 5-14
Sagarin rating: Orleans 67.59; BNL 66.47
Last meeting: BNL stopped Orleans 89-18 during the 1989 sectional.
Game notes: Orleans coach Jared Gilbert played for the Stars and was a member of the 1995 team that went undefeated during the regular season before falling to Jeffersonville in the semistate final.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Makaya Jackson 5-8 Sr.
F – Harryson Hayes 6-1 Sr.
G – Tori Nikirk 5-6 Sr.
G – Katie Godlevske 5-6 Sr.
G – Trinity Schmeichel 5-7 Sr.
Orleans Bulldogs
F – Mylie Knight 5-8 Sr.
F – Savannah Russell 5-10 Sr.
G – Callie Alston 5-9 Jr.
G – Adrian Abel 5-6 Sr.
G – Cambree Cline 5-5 Sr.
