By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – In the immortal words of comedy legend Mel Brooks, it’s good to be the king.
New Albany already owns a crown. The Bulldogs clinched the Hoosier Hills Conference championship two weeks ago. That does not mean they’re slowing down or getting too comfortable on the throne. The greater prize remains on the horizon, and Bedford North Lawrence could represent a possible obstacle in the quest for that greater hardware and headwear.
The Stars (6-12), New Albany’s last remaining hurdle in the chase to sweep through the league, will visit the Doghouse on Friday night as the Bulldogs (14-5 and ranked No.12 in Class 4A) look to start building momentum for the postseason. Winning the HHC outright for the first time since 2017 is indeed noteworthy, but claiming a sectional crown for the first time since 2018 is the ultimate goal.
“We’re really proud of what our team has accomplished so far,” New Albany coach Jason Jones said. “We’re still striving to get better every day and just prepare as best that we can for the sectional.”
The eight-year gap between sectional titles represents the longest drought in program history since New Albany won its first in 1925. The Bulldogs, the overwhelming favorite when the first stage of March arrives, have the firepower to make a deeper tournament run.
The star is sophomore Noah Washington, who’s averaging 20.8 points per game. He leads an attack that averages 73 points per game (currently fifth in the state). The other team leaders include freshman Karson Stoudemire (5.9 rebounds) and catalyst guard Reece McKee (3.7 assists, 2.2 steals).
“They have special talent across the board,” BNL coach Jackson Ryan said. “In Washington, you have a stud. We will have our work cut out for us.”
BNL is coming off a bounce-back win, one of its better overall performances following one of the worst. After imploding during last week’s 75-42 loss at Jeffersonville, the Stars showed their potential with a 66-46 win over Martinsville. BNL had four scorers in double figures against the Artesians and allowed only one basket during the first 12 minutes.
Dax Short leads the Stars in scoring at 14.6, while Parker Kern is contributing 8.7.
They will need more of that against New Albany, which will force tempo with pressure.
”Taking care of the basketball is the name of the game,” Ryan said. “Think Jeffersonville (where BNL was guilty of a record 34 turnovers), on steroids. The biggest thing for us, from last week, is there growth? Are we taking care of the ball? Are we hiding in the corner, or do we want the ball? Are we fundamentally sound enough to get the ball where we want to go?”
New Albany won last year’s battle 72-56. Washington had 25 points and 8 rebounds as the Bulldogs took control with a 14-0 run in the second quarter. Logan Miracle paced BNL with 15 points.
BNL at NEW ALBANY
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 6-12 (1-4 in HHC); New Albany 14-5 (5-0 in HHC), ranked No.12 in Class 4A
Sagarin ratings: BNL 62.70; New Albany 94.65
Series: New Albany leads 42-23
Last meeting: Last year at BNL, the Bulldogs cruised to a 72-56 win. Noah Washington had 25 points and 8 rebounds for New Albany, while Logan Miracle totaled 15 points for the Stars.
Previous game story: New Albany’s new kid on the block
Game notes: New Albany ranks fifth in the state in scoring at 73.0. The Bulldogs have already clinched the HHC title, their first since 2021 and their first outright crown since 2017.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Gibson Crane 6-3 Sr.
F – Easton Moore 6-2 So.
G – Dax Short 6-1 Sr.
G – Parker Kern 6-1 Jr.
G – Driven Axsom 5-8 Sr.
New Albany Bulldogs
F – Karson Stoudemire 6-3 Fr.
F – Noah Washington 6-5 So.
F – Seth Winslow 6-3 Jr.
G – T.J. Washington 5-10 Sr.
G – Reece McKee 6-0 Jr.
