By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – For Bedford North Lawrence’s next crusade, head coach Jackson Ryan needs to wear an Indiana Jones fedora on the sideline. The Stars will be starring in Raiders of the Crystal Court, hoping the legendary, ancient Memorial Gymnasium in Huntingburg is not a temple of doom.
BNL will clash with Raiders galore during the pool-play round of the Southridge Tournament on Friday, meeting the South Ripley version in the opening game before battling the Southridge edition in the nightcap of the two-day event. The third opponent on Saturday will be determined after pool competition concludes, with either Providence, Orleans or Forest Park awaiting in the finale of the six-team tournament.
The Stars (1-4) will be attempting to dial a new destiny. After fighting through a rugged opening schedule that included three ranked opponents, BNL faces more critically-difficult auditions for success. South Ripley (5-2 and ranked No.10 in Class 2A) is a high-scoring hit, while Southridge (3-2) will test BNL’s physical endurance and toughness in the second contest.
“Hopefully after our baptism by fire to start the year, everything we’ve been through, we’ve learned from everything and we’re ready to take the next step,” Ryan said. “We’re trying to do things consistently. Over time, with our roles and expectations, as we settle into the season, we hope the good things we saw against Bloomfield (the lone win thus far) will continue to grow.”
First on the screen will be South Ripley. The Raiders feature three double-digit scorers in an offense that produces 72 points per game (after hitting 80 in their last two contests). They will rely on veterans Drew Volz (17.4) and Bryson Sipples (8.9), while Eli Gilpin (16.1) and Blake Gunter (12.6) have adjusted as newcomers in the lineup.
“Sipples and Volz are our experienced leaders,” South Ripley coach Seve Beach said. “The other guys are filling in bigger roles and adjusting to the varsity game. We are still learning the importance of defense and every possession at the varsity level. We have a skilled group that works really hard.”
South Ripley has hit 70-plus five times, while BNL (averaging 45.4) has not come close to that mark. So the establishment of style and pace will be key.
“What’s so hard about them is all five guys on the floor can score,” Ryan said. “It’s inside and out. They’re trying to get to the rim, and they do a phenomenal job of attacking the paint and making the right decisions. They play with pace. So it will be interesting.”
BNL’s offense has come from Dax Short (12.4) and Parker Kern (10.6), while Easton Moore (7.8) has made an impact during limited minutes off the bench. Only one other player (Gibson Crane with 12 at Bloomfield) has hit double figures.
“Dax is headed in the right direction,” Ryan said. “Parker played really well the first three games, and now that teams have scouted us. To stop us, the first two things are stopping Dax and Parker. Dax has settled into what we need him to do, and we need people to step up.
“Easton has given us a nice spark off the bench. You will see his opportunities, his role and minutes, increase as we continue to progress.“
“BNL’s start is definitely not due to a lack of skill, talent, or coaching, but mostly to an incredibly tough schedule (BNL’s five foes are now a combined 32-9),” Beach said. “They knocked off a very strong Bloomfield team and have shown some good things in their other games. They are led by two good players in Short and Kern that we will have to guard well.”
In the second game against Southridge, the plot will shift dramatically. Those Raiders have threats in Camden Haywood (17.7 points, 4.7 assists) and Hudson Montgomery (13.3), plus imposing strength.
“They have great athletes, they look like a small college football team walking on the floor,” Ryan said. “We will have to come ready to play physically. If we do that, we will give ourselves a great chance to win. If we don’t rise to the occasion, it could be a long night.
“When it’s good, when we control tempo and everyone is playing within themselves, we have two great opportunities to build on that. We have to be disciplined, be poised, play to our standards and make other teams chase us.”
While BNL and South Ripley are colliding for the first time, the Stars are familiar with Southridge. Last year, in the semifinal round of this event, Southridge won a defensive battle 50-42 for its first win in the brief series. Tate Whitehead had 24 points for Southridge, while Patric Matson paced BNL with 29 points.
The opposite pool will include Providence (4-3), Class A No.7 Orleans (5-1 in defense of its state championship), and 2A No.12 Forest Park (5-2).
SOUTHRIDGE TOURNAMENT
Pool play
BNL vs. SOUTH RIPLEY
When: Friday, 4:15 p.m.
Records: BNL 1-4; South Ripley 5-2 (at Southridge on Friday), ranked No.10 in Class 2A
Sagarin ratings: BNL 67.36; South Ripley 71.00
Series: This is the first meeting between the teams
Game notes: South Ripley coach Seve Beach is the grandson of former Orleans coaching legend Charles Denbo. South Ripley is the defending tournament champion.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Ben Conner 6-3 Sr.
F – Gibson Crane 6-3 Sr.
G – Dax Short 6-1 Sr.
G – Parker Kern 6-1 Jr.
G – Jace Nicholson 6-1 Jr.
South Ripley Raiders
F – Eli Gilpin 6-3 So.
F – Blake Gunter 6-5 So.
G – Landon Werner 6-1 So.
G – Bryson Sipples 6-0 Sr.
G – Drew Volz 5-9 Jr.
BNL at SOUTHRIDGE
When: Friday, 7:45 p.m.
Records: BNL 1-4; Southridge 3-2 (vs. South Ripley on Friday)
Sagarin ratings: 67.36; Southridge 74.08
Series: BNL leads 2-1
Last meeting: Last year in Southridge’s tournament semifinal, the Raiders scored the final 8 points during the last two minutes for a 50-42 victory. Tate Whitehead had 24 points for Southridge, while Patric Matson paced BNL with 29 points.
Previous game story: Southridge’s defense the difference
Game notes: Both BNL wins in the series came during the postseason (regional semifinals in 1976 and 1980).
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Ben Conner 6-3 Sr.
F – Gibson Crane 6-3 Sr.
G – Dax Short 6-1 Sr.
G – Parker Kern 6-1 Jr.
G – Jace Nicholson 6-1 Jr.
Southridge Raiders
F – Heath Steckler 6-3 Sr.
F – Hudson Montgomery 6-3 Jr.
G – Justin Leathers 6-1 Sr.
G – Camden Haywood 6-1 Sr.
G – Cooper Sherman 5-10 Sr.
