By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Starting over is scary. Comfort zones require continuity, predictability. The fear of change, clinically known as metathesiophobia, can be paralyzing. The cure is small-step action for the anxious, or a deep-end dive into the unknown for the bold.
Which course will Bedford North Lawrence take? The Stars are definitely starting over. New coach, rebuilt roster, many questions. What would artificial intelligence suggest? The AI answer – “recommend using a data-driven approach to answer the numerous questions facing a new coach with a rebuilt roster. This includes leveraging analytics to evaluate the new roster, developing personalized strategies for each player, and predicting opponent tendencies” blah, blah, blah – is way too wordy and complicated.
The simple solution – buy in. There’s really no data to analyze for the Stars. Opponents tend to show no sympathy, that’s definitely predictable. The Stars are all-in and on their own. Crawl before walking? BNL needs to be ready to run.
BNL will begin the compelling 2025-26 season with a road trip to Bloomington North on Tuesday night, and the subplots are numerous. Jackson Ryan will make his coaching debut with his alma mater program, looking for answers as BNL replaces 75 percent of its scoring and rebounding from last season with a senior-heavy roster that lacks experience. The Cougars, with BNL alum Jason Speer at the helm for the ninth year, are looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued campaign. Both need an opening win.
Predictable? Hardly. Anything is possible.
“The kids are ready,” Ryan said. “It’s time to play someone else. It was good to bump up the scrimmage (at Austin last week), figure out what we need to work on. We really had no idea until you go against somebody. I’ve always been in this community, so having the opportunity to work with these young men, lead this group, is an awesome opportunity. There will be some butterflies.”
BNL’s first priority is establishing an offensive identity. That was easy the last two seasons with prolific scorer Patric Matson (883 career points) and surrounding talent. The Stars will have to start with senior Dax Short (6.6) and junior Parker Kern (2.2) as top options. The rest of the projected starting lineup combined for only 23 varsity points during last year’s 9-13 season.
“Everyone knows Dax and Parker will be the forefront of our attack,” Ryan said. “I want them to understand their value to this program, it’s more than just them scoring. I need all of them to buy into playing together, moving the ball. We have guys we are confident in. There are some question marks, so we will see what happens.
”We have to play inside-out. If that’s attacking the paint off ball reversal, or having opportunities for our guards to post. We’ve been trying to preach moving the basketball, find a mismatch we like.”
North has returning measurable talent. It starts with explosive junior guard J.R. Cross, who averaged 17 points per game a year ago. Levi Lindeman, the 6-6 junior post and the son of former Indiana University standout Todd Lindeman, senior guard Rex Speer and junior guard Nate Walker also have veteran moxie.
“They’re very talented,” Ryan said. “We will have to hang our hat on keeping them out of the paint, guarding our yard. If we can do that, it gives us an opportunity to win. If we don’t, it will be difficult.”
Cross scored 20 points last season against BNL, but the Stars overcame that as Matson totaled 17 during a 49-38 win. The Cougars battled injuries all year, never getting to full strength until the postseason, while scuffling through a 7-17 campaign.
”We’re healthy, which is the most important thing,” Speer said. “We did not have the opportunity to play healthy last year, pretty much entire season. It was just a mess, no continuity. Cross has grown in strength and maturity, I think he’s a three-level scorer. He takes the ball to the basket, he has mid-range, he’s an excellent 3-point shooter.”
BNL has won back-to-back openers in the series.
“They’re always competitive,” Speer said. “There will be first-game jitters and we will try to get settled in as quick as we can. We haven’t been good out of the gate.”
BNL at BLOOMINGTON NORTH
When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 0-0; Bloomington North 0-0
Last meeting: Last year at BNL, the Stars posted a 49-38 win. Patric Matson had 17 points for BNL, while J.R. Cross scored 20 points for the Cougars.
Previous game story: BNL’s ensemble cast shines
Game notes: BNL has won back-to-back season openers against the Cougars. BNL leads the series 25-24.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F- Ben Conner 6-3 Sr.
F – Gibson Crane 6-3 Sr.
G – Dax Short 6-1 Sr.
G – Parker Kern 6-1 Jr.
G – Jace Nicholson 6-0 Jr.
Bloomington North Cougars
F – Levi Lindeman 6-6 Jr.
F – Tevin Bridgwaters 6-3 Jr.
G – J.R. Cross 6-2 Jr.
G – Rex Speer 6-2 Sr.
G – Nate Walker 6-0 Jr.
