Stars to reveal state’s best-kept secret during road trip to face rugged Terre Haute North

BNL senior Patric Matson and the Stars will face Terre Haute North on Saturday afternoon.

By Justin Sokeland

WBIW.com

BEDFORD – Terre Haute North basketball might be the best-kept secret in Indiana. Or else coach Todd Woelfle insulted some poll voters.

For some inexplicable reason, the Patriots (14-2) haven’t even earned a passing glance in the latest Class 4A poll. The two losses came against quality opponents with a combined record of 28-3. Perhaps defense isn’t sexy enough to woe some votes. Bedford North Lawrence will discover what the well-informed already know – the Patriots are tough.

The Stars will tangle with the rested Patriots on Saturday afternoon. North (14-2) has had the entire week to prepare for its Homecoming test against BNL, while the Stars will be coming off a rugged clash with No.13 Jeffersonville. The Devils are like the dessert table at the pitch-in (or pot luck, depending on your dialect) dinner – there’s a sugar high with all that talent. The Patriots are the meat and potatoes, a lot to chew on.

“This weekend is one of the most impressive in terms of coaches,” BNL boss Kurt Godlevske said. “Sherron (Wilkerson at Jeffersonville) has an extremely athletic team that is disciplined and plays unselfishly, and Todd has a very disciplined team and executes at a high level. They do everything with so much purpose. It’s an exciting challenge.”

North is allowing only 48.3 points per game, and the Patriots have offensive balance to complement that. Junior guard Gavin Woelfle leads the way at 12.2 points, while junior Cam Fennell (11.1) and 6-6 junior Brady Klopfenstein (10.4) are key factors. North has additional size inside with 6-10 senior Bryce Renn (7.9 points, 7.9 rebounds). The magic number is 40. North is undefeated when it scores more than that.

“Depth is one of our strengths this season,” Woelfle said. “We can use multiple players with different combinations. This group is really starting to settle into their roles and hopefully will continue to improve as we head toward tournament time.”

BNL will have to find ways to crack the North defensive wall. That was difficult last season. Patric Matson scored 17 points, but the Stars shot only 32 percent while suffering a 54-39 loss.

“It’s a typical BNL team,” Woelfle said. “Disciplined and fundamentally sound. Coach Godlevske does a good job, their chemistry appears to be good, and they run really good stuff offensively.

“I’m a big Patric Matson fan. He’s one of the best, and most cerebral, players we will see all year. BNL plays physical and smart. We will need to be at our best in order to be successful.”

Terre Haute North coach Todd Woelfle has guided the Patriots to a 14-2 record.

BNL at TERRE HAUTE NORTH

When: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Records: BNL 8-5 (vs. Jeffersonville on Friday); Terre Haute North 14-2

Sagarin rating: BNL 76.12; Terre Haute North 82.33

Last meeting: Last year at BNL, the Patriots shut down the Stars 54-39. Jack Halls came off the bench to score 12 for North. Patric Matson had 17 points for BNL, which shot only 32 percent.

Previous game story: Thou shalt not score

Game notes: Terre Haute North will celebrate its Homecoming. North won 19 consecutive games last season before falling to Avon in the sectional final.

TH North statistics

BNL statistics

Starting lineups

Bedford NL Stars

F – Dax Short 6-1 Jr.

F – Isaiah Sasser 6-0 Sr.

C – Logan Miracle 6-5 Sr.

G – Patric Matson 6-5 Sr.

G – Quincy Pickett 6-3 Sr.

Terre Haute North Patriots

F – Brady Klopfenstein 6-6 Jr.

C – Bryce Renn 6-10 Sr.

G – Gavin Woelfle 5-9 Jr.

G – Cam Fennell 6-2 Jr.

G – Mason Loyd 5-11 So.