By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Craving stability and structure is buried somewhere in human DNA. Constant change can create chaos. That’s the challenge new Jennings County coach Travis Wrightsman accepted when he took over the program.
Wrightsman, who previously worked at South Ripley and Switzerland County, is the fourth head coach in the last four years for the Panthers. They won two sectional titles during that turbulent span, including a 3A crown under Michael McBride last season. But it also means the senior class – and JC’s lineup is senior heavy – will have learned four systems. That’s a tough transition.
The Panthers (5-5) are making it work.
“It’s been a process,” Wrightsman said. “It’s getting the players adjusted to me. But I feel like things are progressing well and we’re starting to see a difference.”
Jennings also had to adjust to the graduation loss of high-scoring guard Carter Kent, who averaged 24.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists in his do-everything role a year ago. The Panthers now count on more balance with senior guard Jeremiah Davis (14.0), 6-5 senior Johnny Elkins (11.7 points, 6.7 boards) and senior guard Cash Millspaugh (10.5 points). Sophomore forward Nate Dixon (8.1) has also developed into a threat.
“I’m still an old-school coach, I love to get the ball inside, get it to someone with their back to the basket,” Wrightsman said. “We emphasize post play as much as possible, then still kick it out to the open jumper. But we see if our post can score.”
”They’re huge,” BNL coach Jackson Ryan said. “When you look at their starters, they’re huge. They play a lot of zone defenses, and when you have that size in the middle there’s a lot of things you can do. Offensively they’re very poised, a real throw-back type of team. They have a solid front court, it’s impressive.”
BNL, coming off the emotional clash with county rival Mitchell on Friday, will have to find the energy to bounce back on the road in the first of three straight double-dip weekends, while Jennings has had the entire week to prepare for the Stars.
“They pose a challenge because they’ve played a really tough schedule,” Wrightsman said. “I really like how their guards put a lot of pressure on the ball, they’ve very pesky guys. They don’t have a lot of size, but (Gibson) Crane is a load, as big and strong as he is. We have to guard well. They’ve struggled to score a little bit (47.2 points per game), but we have to get out and contest the 3-point shot.”
BNL won last year’s clash 65-60 as Quincy Pickett drilled 8 treys for 24 points and Patric Mason added 21. The Stars raced to an early 18-3 lead and owned a 17-point advantage in the second quarter before Jennings (with Kent totaling 27 points) made the last minutes interesting.
Both teams are 0-1 in the Hoosier Hills Conference. The Panthers suffered a 46-44 loss at Seymour on Dec. 20.
BNL at JENNINGS COUNTY
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: BNL 3-7 (0-1 in HHC) at Mitchell on Friday; Jennings County 5-5 (0-1 in HHC)
Sagarin ratings: BNL 68.11; Jennings County 73.39
Series: BNL leads 43-24
Last meeting: Last year at BNL, the Stars posted a 65-60 victory. Quincy Pickett hit 8 treys for 24 points while Patric Matson added 21 for BNL. Carter Kent totaled 27 points for the Panthers.
Previous game story: Q Man shoots streaking Stars to victory
Game notes: Travis Wrightsman, who previously coached at South Ripley and Switzerland County, is the fourth head coach for Jennings in the last four years.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Easton Moore 6-2 So.
F – Gibson Crane 6-3 Sr.
G – Dax Short 6-1 Sr.
G – Parker Kern 6-1 Jr.
G – Jace Nicholson 6-0 Jr.
Jennings County Panthers
F – Hayden Low 6-4 Jr.
F – Nate Dixon 6-4 So.
C – Johnny Elkins 6-5 Sr.
G – Cash Millspaugh 5-11 Sr.
G – Jeremiah Davis 6-0 Sr.
