By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Knocked down by a tough loss, Bedford North Lawrence will take advice from that great musical philosopher Chumbawamba. The Stars will seek to get back up again.
Without suffering a breach in confidence, BNL will look to do a little tubthumping when it visits Indian Creek on Saturday afternoon. There’s a reason the line “You’re never gonna keep me down” is repeated 29 times (hey, if it works, keep doing it) during a one-hit wonder that climbed the charts. It’s an anthem for resilience.
The Stars, coming off a disappointing performance in the 55-37 loss at Jennings County, will test their flexibility with another road trip. Will they bounce back, or stick to the floor like a flat basketball? BNL coach Chase Spreen expects his team to regain altitude once again.
”We were confident, and I don’t think that’s changed,” Spreen said. “Our confidence, as far as what the girls expect and what we expect out of them, that’s not been impacted.
”It was not our day, Jennings had a lot to do with that. We haven’t been thumped like that in a while. We just have to be ready to go from the start, we have to maintain a level of play. We can’t have a day off, we have to be engaged for 32 minutes.”
The Braves (8-9) will challenge BNL’s obvious shortcoming (pun intended). Indian Creek features two six-footers with senior Alexa Sichting (13.4 points, 9.7 rebounds) and junior Ellie Oliver (13.0, 6.3 boards). Adding in sophomore guard Reagan Ferris (9.9 points, 3.6 assists), there’s plenty of justified concern.
”They have kids with good size, which will present us problems,” Spreen said. “We’re really focused on making sure we eliminate their second chances, limit the big kids as much as possible. They also have a good perimeter shooter (Ferris) we have to locate. We have to force them into difficult things offensively, and we have to clean things up on the boards.
“When Jennings separated from us, a lot of it was second-chance points. Mollie (Ernstes, with 31 points) did her thing, but when we pushed her into misses, we didn’t finish the job. We can’t be a team that does that. That will be emphasized on Saturday because of their size.”
BNL will counter with its three-pronged attack of Trinidy Bailey (11.4 points, 4.5 assists), Sammie Nusbuam (11.3 points, 4.9 boards) and Miley Sherrill (11.0, 5.0 rebounds).
”It has been eight years since we have played, so adding each other back at least for a couple years will be a nice challenge for us,” IC coach Brian Ferris said. “BNL girls have always been solid, and this year is no different. Coach Spreen is doing a great job in his first year at the helm and has his team starting to find its rhythm. We know, when we play, we will be in for a very competitive game.
”Our team is still growing and maturing as we started the season very young or inexperienced, or both. We continue to learn and grow with each game and have been working through our challenging schedule. Our core is beginning to gel more and more as they work hard in practice and are feeling more comfortable with each other and their roles. Our youth continues to remain hungry and wants to continue to work and fight for time and push our core.”
The Stars won the last meeting 71-42 during the 2017-18 season. Jorie Allen led the way with 21 points, and BNL erupted for 30 points during an explosive second quarter.
BNL at INDIAN CREEK
When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 12-5; Indian Creek 8-9
Sagarin rating: BNL 82.41; Indian Creek 69.17
Last meeting: BNL topped Indian Creek 71-42 during the 2017-18 season. Jorie Allen had 21 points, and the Stars exploded for 30 points in the second quarter. Chloe McKnight added 12 points for BNL.
Game notes: BNL leads the series 2-0. BNL’s first visit to Indian Creek came during the 2016-17 season, with the Stars prevailing 75-54. Indian Creek won a Class 3A regional in 2023.
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.
Indian Creek Braves
F – Alexa Sichting 6-0 Sr.
F – Ellie Oliver 6-1 Jr.
G – Reagan Ferris 5-7 So.
G – Madi Bracken 5-7 Jr.
G – Reese Tunell 5-7 Sr.
