By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence’s unusual schedule construction resembles a donut – there’s a hole in the middle.
The Stars have disappeared off the radar of late. After recording their best victory of the season, they’ve been idle, either enjoying or suffering (depending on the perspective of constant practice) an elongated 11-day ‘vacation’ that was not weather related. They will finally break that action fast with the renewal of a dormant series.
BNL will scrape off the rust with a road trip to Owen Valley on Saturday afternoon. The last time the Stars (7-3) were visible in the hardwood sky, they were solidifying their lead in the Hoosier Hills Conference with an impressive win over Jeffersonville. It’s not exactly ideal for such a huge gap in the regular season.
“I don’t think it’s good or bad, you have to make the most of it,” BNL coach Chase Spreen said. “We took it as an opportunity to give the kids a few days off, give the kids a chance to heal and recover. At the same time, you want to stay sharp. I think we’re starting to play better basketball. With a long break, you can’t let kids lose focus.
“It’s what you make of it. We took it as an opportunity to focus on us, get better at what we’re doing.”
Not only has BNL been silent for 11 days (while Owen Valley will be playing for the third time in five days), the Stars will go another nine days (thanks to the approaching holiday) after this trip before competing again. That’s one game in 20 days. Remember the old Maytag repairman in the famous commercials? He was busier than that. So this creates even more urgency to feast on the filling in the middle of the donut.
“We’re putting a great emphasis on getting a win,” Spreen said. “After this, we have another break. It’s not ideal, and the kids don’t like practicing for that many days in a row, but it’s the hand we’re dealt.”
The Patriots (5-3) have trump cards to foil BNL’s rest advantage. They feature sophomore Aubrey Sparks, one of the top threats in the region at 23.0 points and 8.8 rebounds, while freshman guard Kendall Freeman adds 9.7 points and 3.3 assists.
“They start with Sparks and Freeman,” Spreen said. “Both are talented young players that cause matchup issues. Freeman shoots it really well, she’s very quick, she does a good job of getting them into their offense. Sparks produces at a high level. She’s physical, she shoots it well, she can put the ball on the floor. So we have to make sure we limit her.”
BNL will counter with the balanced attack of junior forward Sammie Nusbaum (11.6 points), senior Trinidy Bailey (11.4 points, 4.3 assists) and junior wing Miley Sherrill (10.7 points).
The Stars have not faced the Patriots since the 2002-03 campaign, when they recorded a 53-25 victory.
BNL at OWEN VALLEY
When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 7-3; Owen Valley 5-3
Sagarin ratings: BNL 77.96; 69.06
Last meeting: BNL topped Owen Valley 53-25 during the 2002-03 season.
Game notes: BNL is making its first trip to Owen Valley since the 2001-02 season. This will be BNL’s only game in a 20-day span, while Owen Valley will be playing its third game in five days.
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.
Owen Valley Patriots
F – Aubrey Sparks 5-7 So.
F – Mallory Owen 5-9 Sr.
G – Kendall Freeman 5-5 Fr.
G – Hannah Bixler 5-6 Jr.
G – Elizabeth Hogan 5-3 Sr.
