By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence, already shifted to Class 3A for multiple sports when the new state enrollment figures were released, has been moved to new sectionals in boys basketball, girls basketball and volleyball for the next two years.
The IHSAA also moved BNL to a new sectional in Class 4A for football as it announced the assignments for the first round of the state tournaments for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons on Tuesday.
In boys basketball, BNL will compete in a six-team sectional with Edgewood, Indian Creek, Northview, Owen Valley and Parke Heritage (moved up from 2A because of success factor). For girls basketball and volleyball, BNL has been placed with Edgewood, Indian Creek, Northview and Owen Valley in five-team sectionals.
The surprising move came with the new sectional assignment in football. BNL was shifted south to compete in a crowded (and historically loaded) eight-team sectional that includes Boonville, Evansville Bosse, Evansville Central, Evansville Reitz, Evansville Harrison, Heritage Hills and Jasper.
BNL boys basketball has not won a sectional since 2001, so the change gives the Stars a new chance to end that streak. The Stars have been in 4A since the IHSAA went to the class system in 1998.
“We’re excited,” BNL coach Jackson Ryan said. “This change brings an entire new challenge, and we’re looking forward to competing. Northview and Parke Heritage are both phenomenal programs that have had a tremendous amount of success the last couple of years, and we have a ton of respect for the other programs as well. This is a big step for the 2026-2027 athletic season.”
In girls basketball, BNL has enjoyed tremendous success with five state championships, the last in 4A in 2023. The Stars have won 33 sectional titles in program history, including 13 straight from 2012-2024.
”It’s going to be a good sectional,” BNL coach Chase Spreen. “There are good teams in it. Regardless of who playing, we have to be ready to go. We’re not as familiar with those teams, so I’m sure we will change that and be ready.”
BNL has been flopped back and forth in football sectionals. The Stars competed in Sectional 23 the last two seasons. Now they will move back to Sectional 24, which features most of the Evansville area programs. BNL was part of that sectional in 2023.
“I’m excited,” BNL coach Brayden Tidd said. “We have some unfinished business to take care of, so I’m excited for new teams and new opportunities, to play some teams we haven’t seen.
“It will be tougher because of more teams and being unfamiliar. We don’t have common opponents and don’t see them on film. But we believe in our guys and we’re excited for the challenge.”
BNL remained in Class 3A for boys and girls soccer.
BOYS BASKETBALL
GIRLS BASKETBALL
