By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Granted a free pass to the penultimate round of the ultimate test, Bedford North Lawrence will seek to earn its way to an annual destination.
For 15 straight seasons, the Stars have been listed on the marquee for the Class 4A sectional final. That’s incredible staying power, in a sport where fame can be as fleeting as a movie star’s box-office endurance. One bomb, they could be forgotten. For 13 consecutive years, BNL took home the coveted prize, a sensational streak that ended one year ago.
The Stars are chasing top billing once again. They must first pass the audition to reach the final phase.
BNL, awarded a first-round bye by the luck of the IHSAA’s blind draw, will start its postseason script with eyes wide open when it battles New Albany in the first Sectional 15 semifinal on Friday night. The Stars (16-7) already own a regular-season victory over the Bulldogs (4-18), but now the lights are brighter and the pressure greater in the one-and-done drama of the tournament.
The winner will face either Seymour (6-17) or No.10 Floyd Central (20-3 and the favorite to win the trophy once again) in the championship on Saturday night, with a regional berth against the victor from the Terre Haute sectional on the line.
BNL conquered New Albany 63-40 during the first encounter on Dec. 6. For some reason, the Sagarin computer is predicting a much closer conclusion for the rematch, and first-year BNL coach Chase Spreen knows why. The Bulldogs are much better than their inglorious record indicates.
“It’s how capable they are,” Spreen said. “They’ve played a lot of good teams really close. Their guard play is very good, those kids can give you a lot of fits. If they get going and get some confidence, they can change things.
”As cliche as it is to say, they’re much better than a four-win team. We’re very aware of that.”
What happened the first time? The Stars shot their way to an impressive road win. Sammie Nusbaum did most of the firing, hitting 9 of 10 shots while scoring a career-high 25 points. BNL hit 21 of 35 overall, with Miley Sherrill contributing 16 points. That’s the most points the Stars have scored this season.
New Albany will counter with its backcourt strength. Gracie Matheny had 15 points and Claire Webster totaled 10 against the Stars, and BNL is wary of veteran Emily Spainhour in the paint.
“That’s the first point of emphasis, you have to do your best to limit those kids,” Spreen said. “They have size and length on the interior as well. Spainhour, if you let her loose, she can hurt you in a lot of different areas.
”It’s nice, knowing we played well there and shot it well. They attack you from different angles, and you have to make yourself available. If we share the ball the way we did the first game, we’ll get good shots. If we take care of the ball, we’ll get good shots.”
The Bulldogs will obviously pay more attention to Nusbaum this time, but in reality BNL is a more diverse and balanced offense. Nusbaum leads the team in scoring at 11.4 points per game, but don’t discount the production of senior Trinidy Bailey (11.3 points and 4.3 assists) and junior Miley Sherrill (11.2).
“Miley and Trinidy have been a part of teams that won a sectional,” Spreen said. “So we have kids that have been here before. They understand they need to be relied on, as far as the emotions go. They have high-level experience, and it’s an intense environment.”
BNL has won 13 straight games in the series with New Albany, and the Stars have eliminated the Bulldogs from the sectional eight times since 2012.
Seymour vs. Floyd Central: In the second semifinal, the Highlanders will look to complete a season sweep of the Owls.
Floyd dominated the first meeting 56-25 on Dec. 18 at Seymour, one of the key wins en route to the Hoosier Hills Conference crown. Elise Coleman and Brinley Clark, returning veterans from last year’s sectional champs, combined for 35 points that night. Seymour was guilty of 28 turnovers against the sticky Floyd pressure and zone defense. Kelsea Hunsley had 12 points for Seymour.
The Highlanders are seeking back-to-back titles for the first time since the one-class tournament era in 1992-93.
CLASS 4A SECTIONAL
Semifinals at New Albany
BNL at NEW ALBANY
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
Records: BNL 16-7; New Albany 4-18
Sagarin ratings: BNL 80.27; New Albany 70.76
Last meeting: On Dec. 6 at New Albany, the Stars posted a 63-40 victory. Sammie Nusbaum hit 9 of 10 shots and scored 25 points while Miley Sherrill totaled 16 for BNL. Gracie Matheny had 15 points for the Bulldogs.
Previous game story: No road sweat for BNL
Game notes: BNL has won 13 straight games in the series. The Stars have eliminated the Bulldogs the last two years and eight times since 2012. BNL has appeared in 15 straight sectional championship games. BNL is second in state history with 33 sectional titles.
Starting lineups
Bedford NL Stars
F – Sammie Nusbaum 5-10 Jr.
F – Miley Sherrill 5-9 Jr.
G – Trinidy Bailey 5-7 Sr.
G – Jordan Blann 5-2 Jr.
G – Paige Burton 5-3 Sr.
New Albany Bulldogs
F – Emily Spainhour 5-10 Jr.
C – Jaelynn Huggins 5-11 So.
G – Gracie Matheny 5-8 So.
G – Claire Webster 5-9 So.
G – Alyviah Lewis-Redd 5-5 Jr.
SEYMOUR vs. FLOYD CENTRAL
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Seymour 6-17; Floyd Central 20-3, ranked No.10
Sagarin ratings: Seymour 67.00; Floyd Central 93.96
Last meeting: On Dec. 18 at Seymour, the Highlanders cruised to a 56-25 victory. Elise Coleman and Brinley Clark combined for 35 points for Floyd. Kelsea Hunsley had 12 points for Seymour, which was guilty of 28 turnovers.
Game notes: Floyd Central is the defending sectional champion, seeking its first back-to-back titles since 1992-93. The Owls won their last sectional crown in 2008, and they’ve won only two postseason games since 2012.
Starting lineups
Seymour Owls
F – Kelsea Hunsley 5-9 Jr.
F – Emmy Munson 5-9 Sr.
G – Claire Skaggs 5-3 Sr.
G – Abby Otte 5-6 Sr.
G – Sophie Skidmore 5-8 Sr.
Floyd Central Highlanders
F – Elise Coleman 6-0 Sr.
F – Brinley Clark 5-10 Sr.
C – Riley Roberts 6-2 Jr.
G – Ava Casteel 5-7 Sr.
G – Mia Gianfagna 5-4 Sr.
