Highly Ranked & Highly Ready- No. 2 Lady Wildcats Open Hoops Season in Atrium Classic
CANTON, Mo. - The Bethel Lady Wildcats coming off the best season in program history will open their 2025-26 basketball season in the Atrium Classic Saturday in Canton, Missouri.
The Lady Cats will do so, ranked No. 2 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll released Wednesday.
Complete Poll:
https://www.naia.org/sports/wbkb/index
The Lady Cats advanced to the semifinals (Fab Four) for the first time in program history in 2025 and will return all but one to a roster that was headlined by Madison and Micah Hart, who were first and second team All-Americans, respectively. The Wildcats also added a top newcomer in Ada Koelling. The last time the team was voted this high was during the 2015-16 season, when they were tied for No. 2.
Bethel will meet Mount Mercy Saturday at 5 p.m. in the Charles Field House on the campus of Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri.
Live stats:
https://www.bethelathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2025-26/boxscores/20251025_yh6g.xml
Watch:
TBA
The Cats will play the Culver- Stockton Wildcats Sunday at 3 p.m.
Live stats:
https://www.bethelathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2025-26/boxscores/20251026_hd3a.xml
Season Preview
The Lady Wildcats enter the 2025 season with championship aspirations, returning over 90 % of their scoring and eight players from last year's 10-player rotation. With depth, experience, and a winning culture, Bethel looks poised for another deep postseason run—and possibly a shot at the national title.
Headlining the roster is the dynamic Hart sisters, a duo that embodies both talent and toughness. But while they lead the charge, this squad is far from a two-player show. Bethel thrives on unselfish play, pace, and spacing, creating a system where every player's strength shines.
At point guard, Hallie Turner steps into her sophomore season as the floor general of Bethel's up-tempo offense. Her ability to collapse defenses and make smart decisions will be crucial against the gauntlet of the MSC conference. On the perimeter, sharpshooters Kylie Reynolds and Kylee Alexander stretch defenses with their ability to score from deep, keeping the offense balanced. Adding to that arsenal are veteran guards, Lauren Bryant and freshman Tessa Statom, both of whom bring range, confidence, and a seamless fit within the team's dynamic system.
Inside, Mikee Buchanan is a key piece to the Wildcats' success. Healthy and motivated, she brings rebounding, rim protection, and the potential to elevate her offensive game. Her versatility is something that could make this team even more dangerous. Alongside her, MJ Simmons provides the kind of intangible value that doesn't always appear in the box score—whether it's locking down post players, taking charges, or pulling down timely rebounds, she's the glue every championship team needs.
Newcomers also bolster the frontcourt. Murray State transfer Ada Koelling adds much-needed depth with size and versatility, giving Bethel another interior presence which could have a major impact.
Then there's Micah Hart, last year's Mid-South Conference Freshman of the Year, who led the team in scoring at 18 points per game. She's already proven she can put the ball in the basket, but her growth as a two-way player—creating for teammates, crashing the glass, and generating turnovers—makes her a legitimate MSC Player of the Year candidate. Her sister, Madison Hart, will also have something to say about being an early favorite for MSC player of the year candidate, brings relentless energy and a "do-it-all" mentality. A slasher with elite finishing ability, she adds another layer to Bethel's offensive attack and embodies the team's toughness and leadership.
Depth in the backcourt will also be a strength. Mikaela Reynolds, Ambria Ferkany, and Lauren Nicolos are all back healthy and motivated, providing experience and fresh legs to a rotation that can push the pace and pressure opponents.
The Wildcats' chemistry, forged during last year's magical MSC Championship run and Fab Four appearance in Sioux City, has only grown stronger. This season, that cohesion, combined with talent and depth, gives Bethel all the tools to chase something even bigger.
Guiding the Wildcats is Head Coach Chris Nelson and his experienced staff, who continue to instill the values of toughness, unselfishness, and relentless effort. Their system not only maximizes individual talent but also emphasizes team-first basketball, which has become Bethel's identity. Under their leadership, the program has built a standard of excellence, and this year's squad looks ready to live up to the challenge.