Lady Cats Open Home Season with Win over Milligan
MCKENZIE, Tenn. – Crisp Arena was electric, filled with the vibrant energy of anticipation. The sounds of sneakers squeaking on polished wood echoed as fans settled into their seats. The Bethel Lady Wildcats were set to face off against the Buffalos of Milligan College in their first game of the season, and excitement was palpable.
The crowd cheered as each player was introduced, and the energy in the gym was electric. Two freshmen, Hallie Turner and Micah Hart, felt their hearts race as they prepared to make their first start in front of the home crowd. Micah and Madison Hart were about to start their first collegiate home game together as sisters. Both had won state titles at Gibson County, but now they were back, ready to make their mark on this new chapter with the Lady Cats.
Out of the gate, freshman Mikee Buchanan was on fire, lighting up the scoreboard with ten points in the first period. Her confidence radiated as she drove to the basket, sinking layups and nailing a couple of mid-range jumpers that had the crowd roaring.
At halftime, Madison Hart led the Lady Cats with an impressive 13 points and seven rebounds. Her determination and skill were on full display, showcasing why she was an all-conference player last year.
The Lady Cats led 40-34 at the half. The Lady Cats shot 35% from the floor and 30% from behind the arc in the half. The first half had been a thrilling display of talent, teamwork, and determination, and the fans were fully behind their team. For the Buffalos, Jaycie Jenkins was putting on a show, dominating the scoring with an impressive 21 points at the break.
Bethel came out in the second half with a clear mindset to slow down Jaycie Jenkins, and they executed their game plan effectively. The Lady Cats tightened their defense, applying pressure and making every shot Jenkins attempted a challenge.
With their increased intensity, they only allowed Jenkins to score 12 points in the second half, a significant drop from her first-half performance. Despite the Lady Cats' efforts to contain her, Jaycie Jenkins finished the game with an impressive 33 points. Her scoring ability was undeniable, and even with the defensive adjustments, she managed to find ways to get her shots off.
The Lady Cats found a way to win, edging out the Buffalos with the final score of 78-71. Madison Hart led the charge with an impressive performance, scoring 27 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Her all-around play was crucial, and she consistently found ways to score while also contributing on the boards.
Buchanan was another key player, finishing with 18 points and five rebounds. Her ability to create her own shots and sink important baskets helped maintain the Lady Cats' momentum throughout the game. Each time the Buffalos threatened to close the gap, Mikee answered back with timely scoring that kept the crowd roaring.
Micah Hart also stepped up, contributing significantly with 15 points and seven rebounds. Her hustle and determination on both ends of the court helped solidify the team's performance, and her presence was felt at crucial moments. The chemistry between the Hart sisters was evident as they worked together seamlessly, pushing each other to excel.
The final whistle blew, and the gym erupted with cheers. The Lady Cats celebrated not just the victory but the teamwork and effort that had led them to the win. It was a defining moment for the team, showcasing their growth and resilience as they looked forward to the rest of the season. With standout performances from Madison, Mikee, and Micah, they had proven they could rise to the occasion and secure a hard-fought win.
Milligan dropped to 1-1 on the season.
The game was part of the Annual Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Classic.
For complete gam stats, visit https://bethelathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2024-25/boxscores/20241101_tjm2.xml?view=boxscore
Coach Chris Nelson said, "We are pleased to get this first win. I thought we played well. Our offense was consistent, and I liked the way we moved the ball. We need to work on our defense, but it is early, and we will do just that. Milligan is a really good team, and we had to play well to secure the win."
Milligan plays No. 4 Campbellsville on Saturday at 2 p.m. Bethel returns to the court Monday, traveling to Austin Peay for an exhibition game.
Article by SID Assistant Derrick Hubble