By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – The bell dings, signaling the arrival of the elevator to those impatiently waiting. The doors slide open, the passengers crowd into the cramped space. The question comes from the person closest to the buttons. “What floor?”
Bedford North Lawrence’s immediate response is simple – “Up!” The number doesn’t matter. Anywhere but the bottom. For the Stars, struggling to regain balance following a bumpy descent and winter of true discontent, that’s the only direction acceptable or feasible.
With a complete and promising offseason as a launch point, BNL started the climb back to respectability during Monday’s opening session of official practices for the 2026-27 season. In two short weeks, the Stars will make their regular-season debut, when they will discover just how high they can go. Down is not an option.
BNL plunged to the bottom last season, finishing 6-17 in Jackson Ryan’s first year with his alma mater. BNL set many dubious program records – fewest wins, lowest scoring totals, most points per game allowed, seven mercy-rule defeats. That’s why going vertical is the way forward.
“We have kids that are extremely motivated for the opportunity to put BNL across their chest,” Ryan said. “Last year was tough for everyone. For the kids who stuck it out and worked their tails off, I can’t sing their praises enough.
”There were so many things we needed to work on, both ends of the floor. I don’t think I did a good enough job last year, of putting my fingerprint on the program, from the start (he was hired late in the process in mid-June). Having a full offseason to do that, the things we were able to do on Day One today were so much different, so much growth for what we expect on both ends of the floor.
“There’s a different energy, where we are right now. We worked tirelessly – spring, summer, fall. Credit to the kids, they just worked their tails off.”
There’s plenty of reasons for renewed hope and enthusiasm. New faces abound, starting with senior Judah Lewis (a transfer from Columbus East) and freshman Colt Robbins (a talented and gifted rookie who arrives with an impressive reputation and resume). Malakai Goodman, who shattered records on the football field, is returning to the court, and a deep sophomore class will push for playing time at all the levels. The only setback so far is the late comeback date for senior Parker Kern, the leading returning scorer from last season. He’s still mending from foot surgery, hoping to return when the calendar flips.
“I think a lot of people know about Colt, and the expectations he has for himself,” Ryan said. “Malakai, coming off the stellar football season he had, we really enjoyed watching him in the month of June. Then we added Judah Lewis, and he’s been the ultimate teammate since he walked in the door.
”With seniors and juniors, there’s not as many as we would like in terms of depth. If you look at the sophomore and freshmen classes, we have kids who have worked hard, and they’re ready for the opportunities to fill the shoes until we have everyone back on the floor. Those kids have earned that opportunity to get the chance.”
If there’s one thing to define the next two weeks, it’s competition. As Ryan whittles the 35 who answered the call on Day One to the expected 28 (for the varsity, junior varsity and C teams that will comprise the entire program) for the long winter, there are many open spots available.
”All competition, all the time,” Ryan said. “It will make everyone better. We don’t want to bring up last year, but we didn’t compete, looking at the scores and the running clock games. Now we have the luxury of underclassmen who want to play and compete. If someone is not doing what they’re supposed to do, we can stick someone else in there. That will lead to some tough conversations for people, but it will make us better as a program. Coming off last season, that’s what we desperately need.”
BNL will also unveil new looks on offense and a revamped schedule that will feature most of the new competitors in Class 3A Sectional 28, the new postseason home for the foreseeable future.
“There are so many areas we need to improve,” Ryan said. “We’ve spent a lot of time on offense. Defensively, we didn’t hold kids accountable. I’m not saying we will set the world on fire with the world’s greatest offense, but playing to our standards, playing the right way, is what I want to see. Play with effort, move the ball and share the ball, play together. If we can do that, we will be a lot of fun.”
BNL will stage two public scrimmages, starting with the annual intrasquad workout on Nov. 16. The Stars will host Eastern Greene for the IHSAA sanctioned scrimmage on Nov. 20, then welcome Horizon Christian for the regular-season opener on Nov. 24.
