By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – The concepts, perhaps even commandments, that define Bedford North Lawrence basketball are not grievous. They are fundamental tenets, the value system that serves as the foundation of the program.
Protect and value the basketball. Defend with passion. Rebound with fierceness. Execute with purpose. Play with pride. When those are followed, success follows. When combined with exceptional talent, titles are the result. The Stars are not unfairly compared to the champions of the past, they are held to the standard of excellence created by adherence to those principles.
BNL, coming off a 16-win season a year ago and blessed with returning veterans who know the expectations that hover like heavy fog, will begin the journey to meet those guidelines when they face Sullivan in the 2026-27 season debut on Thursday night.
Reasons for optimism abound. Three returning senior starters – Miley Sherrill, Sammie Nusbuam and Jordynn Blann – have experience and complementary expertise with differing skills. Two juniors – Eladhy Ray and Caroline Sheldon – are poised to take the next step in terms of roles. Audrey Hoffman and Annie Watson will provide depth off the bench. The pieces are in place. Now the Stars must lock those together with the fundamentals that are non-negotiable.
“The thing I like the most about this group is their intelligence,” said BNL coach Chase Spreen, on the eve of his second season. “It’s a smart group of kids. We have to fix some things, which are very fixable things. They just have to understand that they have to start buying into what we’re emphasizing.”
BNL showed its strengths and current weaknesses during the preseason scrimmages. The Stars have shooters, they have top-tier scorers. They also have an impatient mindset. The first key will be finding the right balance and pace. The Golden Arrows will test that approach.
“This team can execute at a really high level, but we get impatient,” Spreen said. “And Sullivan is a team that will play their butt off, they’re going to guard you and keep everything in front, force you to be patient. If we take quick shots, and we’re not making them, we will be in big trouble.”
Sullivan went 11-12 last season, including a 53-46 loss to BNL in the opener. Trinidy Bailey and Blann were the stars that night with 13 points each, and the Star preserved victory by converting 13 of 14 free throws in the second half.
The Arrows lost some firepower from that team, including Avari Kelley (who totaled 17 points against BNL). Their first priority will be identifying their leaders, while replacing three seniors.
“We graduated a lot scoring and leadership,” Sullivan coach Vance Edmondson said. “We will have to have our younger kids step up and try to lighten the load. We are going to be a work in progress. Hopefully we get better as the season progresses.”
The Arrows will count on junior guard Rigley Goodman for offensive punch. Just don’t expect them to get in a hurry, on either end.
“Hopefully we can slow BNL down, play good, solid halfcourt defense, make them have long offensive possessions,” Edmondson said. “I don’t think we can just flat-out stop them, but hopefully try to slow them down. We did a terrible job on Blann last year, she made some big shots at crucial points. We just have to be patient this year. It’s going to be a process, but we are just looking to get better every day.”
Sherrill and Nusbuam both averaged over 11 points per game last season, and both displayed greater potential during the scrimmages. Nusbuam had 20 points in the intrasquad showcase, while Sherrill exploded for 30 in the scrimmage with Columbus North.
Winning the opener could be crucial. BNL has won five of its last six debuts, and the victory at Sullivan last year was the first of four straight wins to begin that season. It’s also a key when considering BNL will face three games in the first six days of the campaign.
“Getting started with a win is massive for this group, as far as confidence goes,” Spreen said. “It’s a win we have to go get. We need to protect our home floor, come out with a sense of urgency. We need to focus on what we’re trying to accomplish.”
SULLIVAN at BNL
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Sullivan 0-0; BNL 0-0
Coaches: Vance Edmondson, 44-28 in fourth season at Sullivan; Chase Spreen 16-8 in second season at BNL
Last meeting: Last year at Sullivan, the Stars prevailed 53-46. Trinidy Bailey and Jordynn Blann had 13 points each for BNL, while Avari Kelley totaled 17 points for the Golden Arrows.
Previous game story: Best things for BNL are free
Game notes: BNL leads the series 6-0. BNL has won five of its last six season openers.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Sammie Nusbaum 5-10 Sr.
F – Miley Sherrill 5-9 Sr.
G – Jordynn Blann 5-2 Sr.
G – Elahdy Ray 5-7 Jr.
G – Caroline Sheldon 5-6 Jr.
Sullivan Golden Arrows
F – Kinley Mason 5-7 Sr.
F – Camdon Golish 5-8 Jr.
G – Rigley Goodman 5-3 Jr.
G – Anne Dugan 5-7 So.
G – Cora Murdock 5-5 Fr.
