By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – The importance of defense, a mindset rooted in effort, cannot be overstated. That’s why so many quotes from basketball legends deal with the subject.
”Defense is all about wanting it more than your opponent.” — Bill Russell. “Defense is about playing with your mind, not just your body.” — Gary Payton. “Good basketball always starts with good defense!” — Bob Knight. “Defense is about trust, communication, and effort.” — Gregg Popovich.
Then there’s a classic from Rick Pitino. “I want us to play mother-in-law defense: constant nagging and harassment.” Each individual can judge the accuracy of that. Comments can be forwarded to Pitino at St. John’s University.
Bottom line, that end of the court plays a pivotal role in overall success.
Bedford North Lawrence has been laser focused this week on that half of the game. The Stars, coming off a loss to Terre Haute North while allowing a season-high 81 points, will look to start their climb from the bottom of the Hoosier Hills Conference standings with a renewed emphasis on that key fundamental when they host Floyd Central on Thursday night.
The statistics reveal the issue. BNL (4-10) has allowed four opponents to hit 70-plus, the most since five teams hit that level during the 2016-17 season. The Stars are allowing 59.5 points, and opponents are shooting an alarming 50 percent from the floor. Scoring requires certain athletic talents, defending just demands determination.
”Our big focus is a level of intensity, specifically on the defensive end, that we need to play – just in general, at the 4A level, in the HHC – to give ourselves a chance,” BNL coach Jackson Ryan said. “Accountability has been a big thing, whether it’s the players amongst themselves or the staff doing a better job. I want five guys on the floor who will do what we ask. Whether it’s 30 seconds or four minutes, we’re looking for guys who will buy in to what we’re trying to do.“
Defensive tenets include containing the dribble, helping when that breaks down, rotating to cover for a teammate. Feet are the most important appendage, not hands.
“Can we get better to contain the drive?” Ryan said. “When you’re putting stress on the back side and the rotation, nothing will look good. It comes down to pride and a level of intensity we need to find.”
The Highlanders (9-8 overall, 2-3 in the HHC) have the personnel to test BNL’s resolve.
Floyd has been a symbol of battling adversity. Last season, the Highlanders went through a mid-week coaching change prior to the BNL clash. This year they recently lost scoring leader Landon Reed (15.2) with a torn knee ACL that required surgery. Michael McBride, who spent one season guiding Jennings County, took over the beleaguered program and started an immediate turnaround from last season’s 5-19 conclusion.
“A lot of it was a matter of building positive relationships with the players, establishing a culture of consistency in terms of work ethic, excitement and enthusiasm,” McBride said. “We have great kids in the program, and they wanted to build some good relationships with the coaching staff. They’ve responded to everything we’ve tried to do.
“We’re pleased. There’s still some disappointment when you look at things. Since Landon went out with his injury, we’re 4-2. And we could very easily be 6-0. We’ve lost five games by a combined total of 12 points, and four of those were one-possession games. It’s just a matter of getting over the hump in tight games.”
Floyd will feature senior Carter McQuigg (14.2 points, 7.4 rebounds) and senior point guard Jude Vetter (8.4 points, 3.6 assists) as the catalysts. BNL, with last week’s loss in mind, is worried about Vetter’s penetration ability.
“How many straight-line drives did we gave up?” Ryan said. “Then you look at Jude Vetter, he’s a great athlete who’s really hard to stay in front of. So it’s a great test for us.
”They’ve done a great job of stepping up in Reed’s absence. It starts with McQuigg and Vetter as their offensive punch. It’s a balanced attack behind those two. They’ve made the most of their opportunities.”
The Stars (0-3 in the league) will counter with scoring from Dax Short (13.9) and Parker Kern (9.0).
”We are concerned with their athleticism at the guard spot, and Gibson Crane (5.7 points) inside with his strength, being able to move bodies,” McBride said. “Jackson has done a great job with them, walking into a situation with what they lost from last season. It’s a whole new group trying to play together.”
Floyd, even with the upheaval as assistant Mikel Miller took over on an interim basis, won last year’s contest 61-58. Reed had 20 points and McQuigg added 18 as the Highlanders rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half. Patric Matson totaled 22 points and Short finished with 14 for BNL.
FLOYD CENTRAL at BNL
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Floyd Central 9-8 (2-3 in HHC): BNL 4-10 (0-3 in HHC)
Sagarin ratings: Floyd Central 80.49; BNL 64.49
Series: BNL leads 35-19
Last meeting: Last year at Floyd, the Highlanders battled through the adversity of a mid-week coaching change to stun the Stars 61-58. Landon Reed scored 20 points as Floyd rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half. Patric Matson had 22 points for BNL.
Previous game story: Stars caught in the turbulence
Game notes: Floyd coach Michael McBride guided Jennings County to a Class 3A sectional title last season, and he won a Class 2A girls state championship with Eastern Pekin in 2017.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Easton Moore 6-2 So.
F – Gibson Crane 6-3 Sr.
G – Dax Short 6-1 Sr.
G – Parker Kern 6-1 Jr.
G – Jace Nicholson 6-0 Jr.
Floyd Central Highlanders
F – Carter McQuigg 6-5 Sr.
F – Ethan Noble 6-3 So.
F – Jaxon Stone 6-3 Jr.
G – Jude Vetter 5-11 Sr.
G – Parker Kays 6-3 Jr.
