Bethany has lots of returnees from the squad that reached the 4A state tournament last season.

“We have lots of experience!” Bethany coach Eric Sailer said via preseason questionnaire. “We look forward to attacking the opportunities.”

Four seniors will play a role for the Bronchos.

Madison Bibbs, who signed with UCO to play softball, will play a big role on defense.

“She has a knack for rebounding the ball,” Sailer said.

McKenna Calderon also returns.

“McKenna did some good things for us this summer and hopefully she will continue to do this in the season.”

The duo Maddison McNutt and Reese Harris also return after dealing with injuries last season. Both players were key 3-pointer shooters.

“Hopefully they both stay healthy this year! We are excited about their leadership on and off the floor. Hopefully this will be a huge year for them both.”

Both players averaged seve points a contest last season.

Junior Laira Halberg returns.

“(We) look forward to working with her each day.”

Sailer is looking for Ali Linn to “take that next step as a dominant player in class 4A.

“She will be met with several challenges this year and we are excited to see how she responds,” Sailer said.

Linn averaged eight points and five rebounds a game last season.

Sailer calls Camryn Regier the “leader on this team.”

“She is hard to guard because of her size and speed. She will lead us on the defensive end of the floor, but will be a force on the offensive end as well.”

Sailer is looking for Regier to take the next step in “improving her basketball IQ this season.”

Regier averaged nine points and 11 rebounds a game and is committed to play Division I soccer at Creighton.

Sailer said his daughter, Emma, “has been developing in practice and on the bench the last two seasons.

“We look forward to watch her grow this year. Her defensive post skill and her ability to block out will help our team.”

Sophomore Kamryn Donley returns. Donley is the younger sister of Kayten Donley, who is now a freshman at Oral Roberts.

“She has seen firsthand how to play the game the right way by watching her sister do it. Now it is her time to show what she has learned.”

Sailer said Kamryn is one of the team’s better shooters. She averaged five points a game as a freshman.

Another sophomore is Shayne VonFeldt, who has also made her mark in cross country.

“This summer, she showed us how she can compete on the floor. We are excited to watch her!”

The Bronchos have two newcomers that will play roles.

Sophomore Molly Garrison moved in from Community Christian. Garrison helped CCS reach the 3A quarterfinals last season.

“She is coming off an injury and we hope to have her at the end of the season if we are lucky.”

Freshman Morgan McNutt, another cross country standout, looks to make an impact on the court.

“She is one of the best in class 4A (in cross country), Sailer said. We are excited to see her compete on the floor.”

UP NEXT

Bethany opens the season Tuesday (Dec. 2) against Crossings Christian (0-0).

Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m.

 (PHOTO: Kristie Escoe/Life in Action Photography)