By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – The ping-pong balls, the unbiased determining factor for the blind draw, bounced in Bedford North Lawrence’s favor for the Class 4A Sectional 15 draw.
The Stars (16-6) received a bye into a semifinal rematch with New Albany (4-17) when the IHSAA announced the state tournament pairings on Sunday night. Tournament favorite and defending champion Floyd Central (18-3 and ranked No.10) will clash with dangerous Jeffersonville (13-10) in the opening game at New Albany on Feb. 3.
Seymour (5-16) will await the Floyd-Jeffersonville survivor in the second semifinal on Feb. 6. The semifinal winners will collide in the final on Feb. 7.
For BNL, overlooked as a contender with all the focus on the first-round battle between the Highlanders and Red Devils, the bracket was a best-case scenario. But BNL coach Chase Spreen quickly warned about taking the Bulldogs for granted on their home floor.
”That’s not to say we can’t be ready to go,” Spreen said. “New Albany has played a lot of good teams very close, it’s not the same team we played earlier this year. Kelsy (Taylor, the first-year head coach) has done a really good job of working with that group. That’s not a four-win team.”
The Stars topped the Bulldogs 63-40 during the regular-season meeting at New Albany on Dec. 6. Sammie Nusbaum scored a career-high 25 points and Miley Sherrill added 16 during that victory. Gracie Matheny had 15 points for New Albany.
Floyd Central, which shared the Hoosier Hills Conference title with Jennings County, has the pedigree and the record to earn the favored status. But the Highlanders suffered a 50-47 home loss to the Red Devils on Dec. 4. Floyd ripped off 15 straight wins after that.
”Everyone will look at the sectional, talent wise, and say Floyd and Jeff are the most talented teams,” Spreen said. “That’s the way the sectional works out. At the end of the day, we do our best and play the hand we’re dealt, do the best you can to get your team prepared for what’s in front of you.”
Floyd and BNL battled in last year’s sectional final. Floyd ended BNL’s 13-year reign as champion.
”There might have been some pressure to uphold some streak, but this is a new group,” Spreen said. “We’ve talked about our goals all year, and winning a sectional is at the top of that list. I know the kids will be ready physically and emotionally. We have to put our best foot forward against New Albany.”
The sectional winner will advance to meet the champion from Terre Haute in a one-game regional on Feb. 14. BNL will be a host site for regional action.
