Bakersfield Lady Lions roar to 3–0 start with strong opening week
Photo by Karla Smith Bakersfield Lady Lions Members of the 2025-26 Bakersfield Lady Lions basketball team are, from left, (front row) Paige Crites, Keely Stevens and Lily Williams; (middle row) Kelsey Cotter, Riley Summers, Ellie Wells, Abby Guffey, Madison Melvin, Sadie Davidson and Aubrey Luna; (back row) Eden Cotter, Carrleigh Green, Alyssa Gailey, Bristol Robinson, Lexi Clarkson and Addi Mayberry. The Lady Lions are coached by Doug Lansdown, who is assisted by Brandon Cotter.
The Bakersfield Lady Lions wasted no time setting the tone for their 2025 campaign, powering through a three-game stretch in five days to start the season 3–0.
Lions open with dominant road win
Bakersfield tipped off its season on Tuesday, Dec. 2, with a convincing 55–25 win at Mansfield. Madison Melvin led the scoring with 11 points, while Aubrey Luna added 8.
On the boards, Keely Stevens, Kelsey Cotter and Sadie Davidson each grabbed six rebounds. Luna also paced the offense with five assists and added three steals.
“We started slow on offense but played solid on defense and rebounded the ball well,” Head Coach Doug Lansdown said. “It’s always good to open the season with a road victory.”
Home crowd fuels win over Thayer
In their home opener on Thursday, Dec. 4, the Lady Lions kept rolling with a 61–51 victory against Thayer. Keely Stevens had a breakout night with 15 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double. Kelsey Cotter scored 12, and Luna followed with 11.
Stevens also handed out six assists, while Luna added five. Carrleigh Green pulled down six rebounds.
The coaching staff praised the team’s energy and execution, noting the excitement of playing in front of a large home crowd. The Lady Lions shot the ball well, controlled the boards and sealed the game at the free-throw line.
Road trip ends with another big win
Bakersfield capped the week on Friday, Dec. 5, with a 60–29 win at Niangua. Luna led the scoring barrage with 17 points, followed by Alyssa Gailey with 13 and Stevens with 11.
Sadie Davidson hauled in six rebounds. Stevens and Luna each recorded three assists, while Stevens collected six steals and Green added four.
“We were a little sluggish after a long night and long trip but played harder as the game went on,” Lansdown said. “We made free throws but have to rebound better when we’re not making shots from the field.”
Lansdown credited the team’s depth and character for the strong start.
“Assistant Coach Brandon Cotter and I are fortunate to have good numbers and a group of really good people and student-athletes,” he said. “We need to be disciplined and get stronger to keep building on what we hope will be a successful season.”
With three convincing wins already on the board, the Lady Lions are off to a promising start—and showing signs they may just be getting warmed up.
The Lady Lions hosted Willow Springs Monday, Dec. 8 and will travel to Cotter, Arkansas Friday Dec. 12.
Bakersfield will host Mountain View Liberty on Monday Dec. 15 and will travel to Ava Tuesday Dec. 16.