Bethany’s road to a 3-peat as Class 4A state champion had hit an early obstacle – injuries.

The Lady Bronchos (26-4 last season) are already missing Zya Vann, last season’s All-West Metro Player of the Year, to graduation. Vann has joined sister Skylar at OU.

Senior Talia Vann is now playing for Grind Prep, creating another void.

Bethany will also be without another OU signee, Keziah Lofton, at least for a portion of the season due to a leg injury.

“Going into this year we have taken a lot of lumps,” Bethany coach Eric Sailer via a preseason questionnaire. “We have had some injuries which have set us back.

“But the mentality next man up is so true. We have been proud of how our girls have responded. Our team is ready for our next challenge.”

Sailer said Lofton’s status for her senior season is uncertain after a recent surgery.

“Surgery went well,” Sailer said via text Monday (Dec. 2). “There is a chance she could come back later in the season, we will just have to wait and see.”

The Lady Bronchos will have Oral Roberts signee Kayten Donley back for her senior season.

The 6-foot-1 shooting guard and small forward was named to the All-West Metro Girls Basketball Team as the 6th-man for the 2023-2024 season.

She averaged 12.6 points a game and 5.8 rebounds a contest on 50.8 percent shooting from the field.

“Kayten’s basketball IQ is off the charts,” Sailer said. “She has the ability to rebound the ball and make outlet passes to girls who are open up the floor.

“She has the ability to guard a positions 1-5 on the floor at an elite level. Her shooting has progressed to the point she can score inside or from deep.

“We are super excited to have her around one more year,” Sailer said.

Some players who came off the bench last season may play a bigger role for Bethany.

Sophomore Ali Linn is 5-9 SG/SF.

“Ali played a huge role for us last year coming off the bench and helping our team with depth. This year she looks to slide in a starting role for us and make even a bigger difference in our squad,” Sailer said.

Junior Maddison McNutt is a 5-8 point and shooting guard.

“She played lots of quality minutes for us last year and are hoping she can play in many more this year,” Sailer said of McNutt. “She too is dealing with an injury we are hoping will heal soon.”

Other players to watch include junior Reese Harris, a 5-9 SG/SF. Harris missed last season due to an ACL injury.

“She is ready to earn her spot on this team,” Sailer said of Harris. “She is a defensive stopper, who has a good shot. We see Reese making a huge impact for our team.”

Junior McKenna Calderon is a 5-8 shooting guard.

“Mckenna has been working to find her role on this team. Her minutes will increase drastically this season. She has the ability to knock down shots from the 3-point line,” Sailer said.

Another junior Madison Bibbs is a 5-9 small forward.

“Madison is super athletic. Her athletic ability will be seen easily on the defensive end of the floor. Her length and quickness will be a huge asset for our team,” Sailer said.

Senior Lauren Koonce is a 5-9 shooting guard.

“Koonce will surprise you. When she is on the floor she gives huge effort,” Sailer said. “This is her final year and is a huge plus for our team on and off the court.”

Sophomore Emma Sailer is a 5-10 small forward/power forward.

“Emma is coming off of a state championship in volleyball. We are hoping she can add some of that enthusiasm she played with on the volleyball court and bring it to the basketball court,” Eric Sailer said.

Sophomore Laira Halberg is a 5-10 SF/PF.

“Laira is working hard to help her team have success. She is a great teammate,” Sailer said.

The Lady Bronchos also have a couple of newcomers in Camryn Regier and Kamryn Donley.

Reiger is a 6-1 sophomore small forward who comes to Bethany from Yukon.

“She is a tremendous defender, who has a high motor,” Sailer said of Regier. “She is a very talented soccer player as well. We are excited to see what she will bring to our team this year. She was selected to the VYPE Top 100 for girls basketball this year.”

Kamryn Donley is a 5-11 freshman SG/SF and is the younger sister of Kayten Donley.

“We believe she will make a huge impact on our team this season. She has good length and athletic ability,” Sailer said. “Kamryn has a nice outside shot, which will help her find a spot on the floor this season.”

Bethany opens the 2024-25 campaign at home Dec. 10 against Kingfisher, who was 24-6 last season. Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m.

Photographs courtesy of Hunter Sheppard