Junior Lauren Weiker (11) takes the ball to the hole during the closing minutes of the Lady 'Cats' season-opening win at Carrollton. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

CARROLLTON -- The Slater girls' basketball team led wire to wire, while the boys blew a nine-point second-half lead, during Tuesday's season opener at Carrollton.

The Lady Wildcats jumped out to a 14-3 lead in the first quarter, en route to a 49-40 non-conference victory.

Senior Erika Yager scored eight of her 12 points during the first half, while leading the Purple with six rebounds.

Although the Lady Trojans sliced into the margin slightly by halftime, junior Rachel Gonzalez got Slater going again with four buckets during the third period. Gonzalez finished with 16 points on the night.

Carrollton (0-1) was topped by junior Rachel Thoeni's 14 points.

Sophomore Niki Kruger had 10 points, five assists and five steals for the Lady 'Cats (1-0), who open play Monday in the Glasgow Tournament as the eighth seed -- meaning a first-round tilt against defending tourney and Lewis and Clark Conference champion Westran, a Class 2 state finalist last year.

A 13-4 run during the third frame gave the Slater boys a 42-34 lead heading into the final period, but they couldn't hold on during a 54-52 loss.

Carrollton only led once, when sophomore Brandon Davis got inside for the go-ahead goal with 14.5 seconds remaining in the game.

The 'Cats had three cracks at the basket in the closing seconds, but senior Aric Falls missed a 10-foot jumper and runner in the lane and junior Garrett Falls' mid-range stick-back attempt clanked out at the buzzer.

Davis had 22 points and junior Andrew Molloy tallied 18 points, the two combining for 13 points down the stretch, to lead the Trojans (1-0).

Aric Falls paced Slater with 27 points, eight rebounds and nine steals, while Garrett Falls added 13 points, five steals and five assists.

The 'Cats (0-1) meet the talent-rich Yellowjackets in Tuesday's first-round action at the Glasgow Tournament.