By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
SPENCER – Worried about rust following an unusual extended layoff, Bedford North Lawrence counted on the one element that would not corrode – defense.
Facing an explosive scorer, concerned about the 11-day gap between games, the Stars oxidized Owen Valley, shutting down its attack with iron will and toughness. This was the aluminum version of BNL basketball, surprising strength and non-magnetic. Nothing the Patriots threw at them stuck.
With four double-figure scorers doing the damage, the Stars renewed the dormant series with a 57-29 triumph on Saturday afternoon. Jordan Blann was offensive star with 15 points, while Miley Sherrill was the shut-down catalyst as BNL (8-3) recorded its third straight win while facing this opponent for the first time in 23 years.
Points are necessary, but the story was on the other end. Owen Valley (5-4) featured a prolific scoring tandem with sophomore Aubrey Sparks (23 points per game) and freshman Kendall Freeman (9.4). They found no holes in BNL’s metallic defensive wall, combining for 10 points. The Patriots went without a field goal in the second quarter and managed only 11 all day.
”We stressed all week what we wanted to focus on defensively,” BNL coach Chase Spreen said. “The kids did a great job of executing on both ends, but specifically on the defensive end. We knew they ran a lot of their stuff through them. I’m really proud of the defensive effort.”
Trinidy Bailey is usually BNL’s defensive stopper, and she started on Sparks. When she picked up her second foul early in the first quarter, BNL had to activate another plan. Sherrill accepted the challenge. Sparks was held to 6 points, Freeman added only 4.
“She’s a really good player,” Sherrill said of her adjusted assignment. “We knew we had to step up. We knew she would hit a couple of tough shots, but as a team we limited her the best we could. We’re a really good defensive team when we talk and we’re together.”
BNL got off to a quick start as Blann buried two wing treys for a 13-4 lead. Bailey worked inside for a 3-point play as the Stars took a 16-11 lead after the opening quarter. Then came Owen Valley’s quiet time. While the Patriots could not convert from the floor, BNL pushed ahead as Bailey’s corner trey bounced in. She followed with a tough bucket from the interior as the Stars surged to a 27-16 lead at intermission.
In the third quarter, BNL ran away. Sammie Nusbaum ripped a corner bomb, Bailey fought inside for a 3-point play, and Elahdy Ray wormed under for a layup and 42-19 advantage. The Stars cruised from there.
Blann drilled four treys (the bulk of BNL’s 10 from distance). Bailey finished with 13 points, Nusbaum added 11, and Sherrill chipped in 10.
“It was nice to see Jordan making shots,” Spreen said. “We did a really good job of sharing the basketball. On days we’re making shots, we can beat anybody.
”Behind everything is the defense. They’re a good offensive team. We focused on staying sharp and holding the kids accountable. The kids bought into that. The timing of the layoff wasn’t ideal, we had to stay focused. They stayed engaged.”
Owen Valley (held to its fewest points this season) hit only 11 of 39 shots. Lilly Miller came off the bench to pace the Patriots with 7 points.
BNL was also sharp in execution with only seven turnovers. No rust, no problem.
”I was worried a little bit, I won’t lie,” Sherrill said. “That many days off is a lot. It was a little concerning. But we knew we would take care of business.”
BNL will now go idle again for nine days before competing in a two-day tournament at Austin on Dec. 29-30. The Stars will face Jasper and Lanesville in the first two rounds of pool play.
BEDFORD NL STARS (57)
3s FGs FTs R F Pts
23 Sammie Nusbaum, f 3-5 3-8 2-2 7 3 11
22 Miley Sherrill, f 1-4 3-11 3-4 8 1 10
32 Trinidy Bailey, g 1-3 5-10 2-2 6 2 13
21 Jordan Blann, g 4-8 4-9 3-4 2 1 15
11 Paige Burton, g 0-1 0-2 0-0 5 3 0
12 Elahdy Ray 0-2 2-4 0-0 1 1 4
24 Caroline Sheldon 0-0 0-0 1-2 1 0 1
20 Bella Warren 1-2 1-2 0-0 0 1 3
31 Audrey Hoffman 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 1 0
44 Annie Watson 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0 0
Totals 10-25 18-46 11-14 32 13 57
OWEN VALLEY PATRIOTS (29)
3s FGs FTs R F Pts
4 Aubrey Sparks, f 0-1 2-7 2-2 6 1 6
5 Mallory Owen, f 0-0 2-5 1-6 4 2 5
14 Kendall Freeman, g 1-3 1-7 1-2 8 2 4
20 Hannah Bixler, g 0-2 1-4 0-0 1 1 2
15 Elizabeth Hogan, g 0-1 0-2 0-0 0 1 0
1 Lilly Miller 1-4 3-7 0-1 3 0 7
3 Cammie King 0-2 0-2 0-0 1 3 0
11 Haley Amador 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 2 0
2 Addy Applegate 0-1 1-2 0-0 0 1 2
24 Kenzie Limeberry 0-2 1-3 0-0 0 0 3
23 Tinsley Monroe 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 1 0
10 Makayla Hall 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0 0
40 Aubri Burkett 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1 0
Totals 3-17 11-39 4-11 28 15 29
Bedford NL 16 11 15 15 – 57
Owen Valley 11 4 7 7 – 29
Turnovers – BNL 7, Owen Valley 14
Field goal percentage – BNL 18-46 (.391); Owen Valley 11-39 (.282)
Free throw percentage – BNL 11-14 (.786); Owen Valley 4-11 (.364)
