By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Did a virus invade the Sagarin computer? How is it possible that a struggling team, winless until Thursday night, can be favored over an opponent with a solid record and historic pedigree like Bedford North Lawrence? Glitch, lack of respect, or solvable mystery?
Actually, it’s explainable. Based on strength of schedule, New Albany’s win-loss mark might lack luster, but the Bulldogs have earned BNL’s complete attention as the Stars prepare for a rough road trip in the Hoosier Hills Conference.
BNL (5-3) will look to bounce back from two straight setbacks when it journeys to New Albany (1-7) on Saturday afternoon. The Stars will seek to maintain their status as conference frontrunners, while New Albany has won only one league game since the 2020-21 season. Did the Stars take the computer prediction as an insult? They’re more worried about correcting their current course.
“We don’t look at anything like that,” BNL coach Chase Spreen said. “They’re very talented, they are significantly better than what their record says. They have really good guards, they have a good interior presence. We have our work cut out for us.”
Former BNL boys coach Mark Mathews always gave props to opponents, often calling the next obstacle the best in the state if ranked by current records. So, for example, he would have called New Albany the “best 1-7 team in the state.” And finally, in this case, he would have been right.
The Bulldogs couldn’t break through against their first seven foes, one reason being those seven currently sport an impressive 34-15 record. Three of those setbacks were by four points or less. Two of them (Silver Creek and South Knox) are ranked in their respective classes. They finally hammered North Harrison 62-31 for that elusive first victory. They will not be scared of the BNL uniform.
Claire Webster and Grace Matheny, sophomore weapons in the backcourt, lead New Albany in scoring, while junior forward Emily Spainhour adds an interior presence. All three hit double figures.
“Matheny stand out,” Spreen said. “She can really score, she’s skilled and smooth. We have to make things difficult on her. Webster is a polished kid offensively.”
BNL will devote only so much attention to the dangerous Dogs. The bulk of the focus will be on BNL’s own issues. Guess what that is? The Stars have lost three of four while averaging only 37.3 points per game in that span, and they managed only 33 points (while shooting 25 percent and earning only three free throws) in the lopsided loss to Class 2A No.1 North Knox.
”The kids understand we have three losses against three really good teams,” Spreen said. “In order to beat those teams, we have to improve on some things. We understand we’re not playing good basketball right now, but our goal is to play our best by the end of January and be ready for the sectional.
“We’re getting good looks. We’re doing a good job of executing. At the end of the day, we have to recognize, when shots aren’t falling, to score in other ways. We have to make sure we’re not settling. In order to beat a good team, you have to shoot more than three free throws. You have to score more than 33 points.”
BNL’s offensive leaders include Trinidy Bailey (11.6), Miley Sherrill (9.9) and Sammie Nusbaum (9.3). The other area of emphasis will be rebounding. The Stars got pounded 37-16 on the boards by North Knox, and they have outrebounded only three opponents. Sherrill and Nusbaum average 4.3 each.
“We have to make sure we rebound,” Spreen said. “That’s something we have to do significantly better to beat good teams. Rebounding is all about effort and competitiveness. Kids who are competitive want to impact the game, want to make a difference, they understand they can find other ways to do that outside of scoring. One of the easiest ways to do that is rebounding at a high level.”
BNL swept two games from the Bulldogs last season. The Stars won the regular-season clash 57-29, as Sherrill scored 17 points. BNL blasted to a 17-2 lead in that battle and forced 24 turnovers. In the sectional semifinal rematch, BNL prevailed 55-48 as Bailey totaled 20 points and Sherrill totaled 15. Matheny paced New Albany with 17 points while Webster added 16.
The Stars have won 12 straight in the series and 28 of the last 30 meetings.
BNL at NEW ALBANY
When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 5-3 (1-0 in HHC); New Albany 1-7 (0-0 in HHC)
Sagarin ratings: BNL 73.14; New Albany 74.17
Last meeting: Last year, the Stars swept two games from the Bulldogs. BNL won the regular-season game 57-29 as Miley Sherrill scored 17 points, then recorded a 55-48 victory in the sectional semifinal at Seymour as Trinidy Bailey totaled 20 points.
Previous game story: Like a leopard, Bailey and Stars pounce
Game notes: First-year New Albany coach Kelsy Taylor is a 2018 New Albany graduate. BNL has won 12 straight games in the series by an average of 32.1 points, and the Bulldogs have won only two of the last 30 meetings.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Sammie Nusbaum 5-10 Jr.
F – Miley Sherrill 5-9 Jr.
G – Trinidy Bailey 5-7 Sr.
G – Jordan Blann 5-2 Jr.
G – Paige Burton 5-3 Sr.
New Albany Bulldogs
F – Emily Spainhour 5-10 Jr.
C – Jaelynn Huggins 5-11 So.
G – Grace Matheny 5-8 So.
G – Claire Webster 5-9 So.
G – Tori Bailey 5-78 Sr.
