By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – After falling down the basketball mountain, Bedford North Lawrence had two options. Stay there, which is the choice the opponents would have preferred, or get up and start climbing. The Stars choose the more valiant course of action.
The ascent has been remarkable. After winning only seven games a year ago, BNL has battled back toward the peak. The Stars (12-4) currently share the Hoosier Hills Conference lead at 3-0, heading into a titanic road showdown with the co-leader and two-time defending champion. BNL will journey to Jennings County (12-4 and ranked No.7 in Class 3A) for the clash of contenders on Tuesday night.
Students of history should not be surprised by BNL’s rapid resurgence. After all, the Stars own more HHC titles (22), sectional championships (33) and state crowns (5) than anyone else in the league. But tradition doesn’t buy anything, including respect on the Sagarin computer (with BNL still ranked mid-pack in the league).
“We’ve always said, we’re entitled to nothing,” BNL coach Chase Spreen said. “We have to make sure we go earn it.
“We’re really proud of the girls, how they’ve competed, how they have accepted coaching. They’ve worked really hard, bought into everything we’ve been emphasizing, and it’s really paid off.”
The Stars will definitely have to earn this one. The Panthers feature one of the best scorers in the state with 6-0 senior Mollie Ernstes, a Kansas recruit and Indiana All-Star candidate. She will demand the ultimate in defensive attention.
“It’s not a stretch to say Mollie is one of the best perimeter shooters in the country,” Spreen said. “She’s so tough to defend, just on how she gets her shot off. It’s quick, it’s efficient, she’s always on balance. Adding into that, she’s improved her ability off the bounce, which makes her such a difficult matchup. She’s really turned herself into an all-around player.
“Mollie is used to it, they know the defensive game plan will be to try and limit her. But we have to do our best to do that. We have to make life hard on her. She’s the real deal. If she’s not an Indiana All-Star, there’s something wrong.”
Jennings has other weapons, including senior Riley Byford (who burned BNL for 20 points last season) and junior Etta Young. The Panthers already have an impressive win over Class 4A No.3 Warsaw (the only loss for the defending state runner-up).
BNL will counter with its defensive toughness (allowing only 39.2 points per game, including 30 or fewer in five of the last six games) and offensive balance from Sammie Nusbaum (11.6), Miley Sherrill (11.2) and Trinity Bailey (11.4).
Jennings won last year’s collision 65-50 at BNL, with Ernstes scoring 23 points while hitting four treys. The last time BNL visited Jennings, the Panthers posted a 58-41 win that ended BNL’s 25-game winning streak in the series.
”It will be tough,” Spreen said. “But I’ll take it any day of the week, playing for the lead in the conference. You can’t ever turn an opportunity like that down. The kids deserve to be in this position.”
BNL at JENNINGS COUNTY
When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 12-4 (3-0 in HHC); Jennings County 12-4 (3-0 in HHC), ranked No.7 in Class 3A
Sagarin ratings: BNL 82.41; Jennings County 84.13
Last meeting: Last year at BNL, the Panthers rolled to a 65-50 win. Mollie Ernstes had 23 points and Riley Byford totaled 20 for Jennings. Miley Sherrill had 14 points for the Stars.
Previous game story: With a sweet Byford, Jennings sings on the shores
Game notes: BNL has won 22 HHC titles in program history, the last in 2023. Jennings County has won or shared the last two conference titles.
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.
Jennings County Panthers
F – Etta Young 5-10 Jr.
G – Riley Byford 5-9 Sr.
G – Mollie Ernstes 6-0 Sr.
G – Addison Petro 5-6 Jr.
G – Kaydence Lowman 5-9 Sr.
