RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – On Wednesday, the Great American Conference released the results of the 2024-25 GAC women’s basketball ballot. Harding collected seven first-place votes to enter the season as the preseason favorite.
The Lady Bisons posted a 26-6 record a season ago. They reached the second round of the NCAA Central Region Championships. They return their four double-digit scorers in Sage Hawley, Aubrey Isbell, Josie Williams and Rory Geer. Hawley, a two-time All-American, enters the season with 1,730 points and 1,028 rebounds in her career. Williams, the 2023-24 GAC Freshman of the Year, averaged 11.2 points per game and shot 35.8 percent from the 3-point arc.
Southern Nazarene received four first-place votes and finished second in the voting. Last season, the Crimson Storm won their second-straight GAC regular-season title and advanced to the final of the Central Region Championships. They own a 48-3 record against GAC opponents over the past two seasons. Hannah Giddey, the league’s two-time Defensive Player of the Year returns after averaging 14.8 points. 9.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.5 blocks per game.
Oklahoma Baptist and Southwestern Oklahoma Baptist tied for third. The Bison’s Jaedyn Getman finished second in the league in scoring at 17.5 points per game and led in free-throw percentage to earn a spot on the All-GAC First Team. They return six players that started at least 12 games. The Lady Bulldogs pulled off two upsets to reach the final of the 2024 GAC Championships. Averi Zinn led the GAC in assists per game and averaged 12.7 points per game.
Arkansas Tech claimed a first-place vote and finished fifth, followed by Henderson State. Hayleigh Wyrick, ClaraGrace Prater and Julie Wagner headline the returners for the Golden Suns. A season ago, the Reddies captured the GAC Championship title. They must replace Tournament MVP and All-Region selection Ashley Farrar. Natalie Cardenas, who averaged 11.9 points per game returns, as do All-Tournament performers Jadah Pickens and Brynlee Huggins.
Northwestern Oklahoma State edged out Ouachita Baptist for seventh. The Rangers must replace GAC Player of the Year and First-Team All-American Faith Simpson. They bring back double-digit scorers in Carly Craig - an Honorable Mention All-GAC choice - and Camille Thomas. The Tigers feature a new head coach in Kiley Hill. His first team includes two 2023-24 All-GAC performers in Laney Mears and Madeleine Tipton. Both averaged more than 13 points per game.
Southeastern Oklahoma State finished ninth, followed by Arkansas-Monticello, East Central and Southern Arkansas. The Savage Storm and Blossoms each return their top scorer in Caitlin Kobiske and Bailey Harris, respectively. SAU has a new head coach in Darrick Matthews. Addy Tremie averaged a team-best 12.5 points per game.
Harding and Southern Nazarene open the regular season on Saturday, November 2 at competing Tip Off tournaments. The Lady Bisons head to West Texas A&M for the D2CCA Tip Off Classic while the Crimson Storm travel to St. Joseph, Missouri for the Central Region Tip Off Classic. SWOSU, Oklahoma Baptist, Henderson State, Northwestern Oklahoma State, Southeastern Oklahoma State, UAM and SAU participate in various region challenges on Friday, November 8. Tech, Ouachita and ECU take to the court for the first time on Wednesday, November 13.
For the first time in GAC history, the Basketball Championships head to Fort Smith. The eight-team event takes place from Thursday, March 6 through Sunday, March 9 at Southside Arena.