By John Henson
Sports Writer
With 52nd District titles from 2020 through 2024, the Bell County Lady Cats dominated the first half of the decade. They hope to stretch that string of success to six this season with three starters back from an 18-14 squad.
“We’ve had some good practices to this point, and the kids are buying into what we’re doing,” said David Teague, who enters his 18th year as coach of the Lady Cats.
Teague will have some holes to fill with the graduation of star forward Gracie Jo Wilder, who averaged 23.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game as one of the 13th Region’s top players. The Lady Cats also lost senior forward Kylee Greer Gann, who has been slowed since last season by knee and hamstring injuries.
“Losing a 23-point plus scorer is tough, but we have some girls back with experience, so I think we’ll be right in the mix. We have some older kids with experience and some younger kids who are ready to step in and get their turn,” Teague said.
After losing two of their top three rebounders, Bell will count on an even bigger season from 6-3 junior center Kairi Lamb, who averaged 12.6 points and 12.0 rebounds per game last season.
“She is one of the few players in the region to average a double-double. We expect more of that this season with her size and ability to score. I think she’s one of the best players in our region. We think she’ll have another big year,” Teague said. “We’ve talked to her about seeing more double teams this year. She’ll have to read that and get the ball where it needs to go. We have to do a good job of team rebounding and rebound from every spot.”
The Lady Cats also bring back two starters in the backcourt with senior Lauren McGeorge (14.5 points per game, 2.4 rebounds) and junior Neveah Allen (4.8, 2.0).
“We look for a big season from Lauren. She’s a good shooter who can get to the rim. We need her to be a scorer for us this season,” Teague said. “Neveah had some growing pains last year (at point guard), but she has been in the gym working. We look for a bigger year from her. We think she will give us more production scoring wise.”
Gracie Barton, a 5-9 sophomore, will likely take over at forward after returning to Bell County following a season with Cumberland Gap, Tenn.
“She is going to be a player. She played with us in middle school and is back with us,” Teague said. “I think she will slide into that position. She has played point guard in the past, so she can step out and hit shots and handle the ball. She will help us.”
Lyla Scearse, a 5-4 sophomore who was one of seven Lady Cats last year to play in at least 30 games, is the early favorite to round out the backcourt.
“She’s very athletic,” Teague said. “She will play a lot more minutes this year. She can disrupt things defensively. I think she’ll settle in a play big role.”
Kaitlyn Middleton, a 5-6 senior who missed all of last season following an ACL injury, will provide depth at guard as she works her way back.
“It’s good to get her back, even though she’s limited right now. She will help us,” Teague said. “She will give us some depth, and she can hit some shots.”
Rachel Redmond, a 5-8 junior forward who played in 12 games last season, will be the top reserve in the frontcourt.
“She can play in spots, depending on situations. She has a good motor and plays hard,” Teague said. “She just needs some experience.”
Teague is confident with his returning players but knows they will need help as the season progresses.
“We have some kids who can score the ball and shoot the ball,” he said. “We need to develop some depth, but I think most teams will be in the same situation at this point.”
Harlan County had finished second to Bell County for four straight years, but Harlan made it to the championship game last year and brings back four starters with a senior-dominated lineup.
“Anything can happen during a long season, but right now it’s probably us and Harlan,” Teague said. “They have an experienced team as well with some nice pieces. We’ll just take it one game at a time and see what comes of it.”
While Bell has won five straight district titles and the first five 2A Classic sectional titles, the Lady Cats have dropped four straight first-round games in the regional tournament.
“We haven’t thought much about it at this point,” Teague said. “We’ve had some success, but when we get to the regional tournament we’ve been one and done the last four years. I think North (Laurel) and Knox (Central) are the top teams in the region at this point. The first thing is you have to get there, and then you can see what happens.”

DATE	OPPONENT	SITE	SCORE				STATS?
Thu, Dec 5, 24	Clay County	home					7:30 PM		⇄
Fri, Dec 6, 24	Tri-Cities Christian Academy (Blountville), TN	home					6:00 PM
Tue, Dec 10, 24	Leslie County	home					7:30 PM		⇄
Fri, Dec 13, 24	Middlesboro	away					6:00 PM		⇄
Sat, Dec 14, 24	Thomas Walker (Ewing), VA	home					1:30 PM
Tue, Dec 17, 24	Harlan	away					6:00 PM		⇄
Sat, Dec 21, 24	Nicholas County	at Bath County					2:30 PM	Mike Bromagen Ladycat Classic	⇄
Sun, Dec 22, 24	Menifee County	at Bath County					5:00 PM	Mike Bromagen Ladycat Classic	⇄
Mon, Dec 23, 24	Central	at Bath County					1:00 PM	Mike Bromagen Ladycat Classic	⇄
Fri, Dec 27, 24	Estill County	at Garrard County Middle School					1:00 PM	Four Banks Classic – Hosted By Garrard Co. High Sc	⇄
Sat, Dec 28, 24	Garrard County	at Garrard County Middle School					7:00 PM	Four Banks Classic – Hosted By Garrard Co. High Sc	⇄
Sun, Dec 29, 24	Jackson County	at Garrard County Middle School					1:00 PM	Four Banks Classic – Hosted By Garrard Co. High Sc	⇄
Fri, Jan 3, 25	Casey County	away					2:30 PM		⇄
Sat, Jan 4, 25	Lincoln County	away					2:00 PM		⇄
Mon, Jan 13, 25	Thomas Walker (Ewing), VA	at Thomas Walker					6:00 PM
Fri, Jan 17, 25	Lynn Camp	at Lynn Camp Middle/					7:00 PM		⇄
Tue, Jan 21, 25	Harlan	home					6:00 PM		⇄
Sat, Jan 25, 25	South Laurel	home					2:30 PM		⇄
Tue, Jan 28, 25	Harlan County	away					6:00 PM		⇄
Fri, Jan 31, 25	Middlesboro	home					6:00 PM		⇄
Sat, Feb 1, 25	TBA	home					4:00 PM
Tue, Feb 4, 25	Harlan County	home					6:00 PM		⇄
Fri, Feb 7, 25	Leslie County	at Leslie County Nixon Center					6:00 PM		⇄
Sat, Feb 8, 25	Paul Laurence Dunbar	at Clay County					12:01 AM	Donnie Gray Shootout	⇄
Tue, Feb 11, 25	Jackson County	home					6:00 PM		⇄
Tue, Feb 18, 25	Whitley County	home					7:30 PM		⇄
Thu, Feb 20, 25	Corbin	at Corbin Gymnasium					7:30 PM		⇄