(Chris Allen/Democrat-News) Junior Taylor Wesley had another big night for the Chiefs, scoring 18 points during a 65-52 win over Carrollton. [Click to enlarge]

ALMA -- The Santa Fe boys' basketball team tuned up for the tough week ahead Friday by disposing of Carrollton, 65-52, in a non-conference home contest.

The Chiefs struggled early, but then broke away with a 22-8 third-quarter spurt behind nine points from junior Brett Case. The Trojans (10-1) -- who got 16 points from senior Andrew Malloy -- had their own difficulties, including 29 turnovers.

Junior Taylor Wesley racked up 18 points, nine during the fourth quarter, and came up with six steals for Santa Fe. Case had 12 points and four takeaways and junior Luke Brandt added 10 points and eight rebounds.

Despite a fine 9-4 mark, the Chiefs are the sixth seed in the 27th annual Wildcat Classic at Slater -- which features state-ranked powers Higginsville, Glasgow and Pilot Grove in its eight-team boys' field.

Earlier, the Santa Fe girls overcame a six-point deficit after three periods and clung to a slim lead down the stretch by making free throws -- seven of eight during the fourth quarter, including four in a row from sophomore Lauren Aversman, to hold off Carrollton, 52-49.

Junior Rachel Thoeni and sophomore Kylie Watts each scored 15 points for the Lady Trojans (2-11), the two combining for 16 second-half points.

The Lady Chiefs (4-9) out-scored Carrollton 21-12 during the final frame, freshman Gia Baldwin scoring seven of her 13 points in that stretch. Aversman finished with 14 points and junior Molly Blomberg had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The Santa Fe boys open the Slater meet against Sacred Heart, while the girls face Pilot Grove, both on Tuesday.

'Hounds drop two

SWEET SPRINGS -- The Sweet Springs girls' basketball team couldn't maintain an early lead Friday, fading in the late stages of both halves, and dropped a 48-42 home decision to I-70 Conference foe St. Paul.

The Lady Greyhounds trailed by four points at halftime, but two three-pointers from sophomore Kathleen Tyler brought them to within a point entering the final period. However, senior Shannon Vogelsmeier scored all five of her points during the fourth stanza for the Saints, who held on despite missing five of 10 free throws -- including the front end of two one-and-one opportunities.

Senior Jenna Stiek and sophomore Louisa Mehl each scored eight points for balanced St. Paul (6-7, 1-1 I-70).

Sweet Springs (10-3, 2-1) was led by junior Stephanie Krause's 10 points and six rebounds.

Senior Andrew Lemmons' three-pointer in the clutch proved to be the difference in the boys' game, won by St. Paul, 58-56.

Sweet Springs went into the final frame with a one-point lead, but the Saints (3-9, 1-1) rallied behind a pair of bombs from sophomore Jordan Bredehoeft -- who wound up with 18 points. Lemmons' 22 led all scorers.

Sophomore Billy Martin nailed five treys, tallying 21 points for the Greyhounds (5-8, 0-3).

Sweet Springs will play at the Windsor Tournament, starting today with the girls going against Calhoun and the boys taking on Tipton.

Salisbury rolls past 'Cats

SALISBURY -- Even 35 points from senior Aric Falls couldn't prevent the Slater boys from suffering their fourth straight loss, and sixth in a row in Lewis and Clark Conference play, 78-56 Friday at Salisbury.

Falls came out of the locker room smoking, burying three three-pointers during a 17-point first quarter. Unfortunately, the rest of the Wildcats (4-12, 0-6 L&C) managed only two points during the opening stanza and they trailed by three points.

That was still the margin at halftime, until the Panthers went on a 26-13 run during the third period -- forcing Slater to limp to the end.

Junior Ben Gladden had 21 points and junior Shane Kressig and sophomore Jamie McCubbins each tallied 14 points for Salisbury (3-10, 2-2).

The Slater girls never stood much of a chance during their 68-20 loss to Salisbury.

The Lady Panthers scored 29 first-quarter points and extended the margin to 41-12 by halftime with a 12-2 run.

The Lady Panthers (11-3, 4-0), one game up on No. 1 Westran in the win column of the league standings, had four players score in double digits -- led by sophomore Cassy Nicolay and freshman Morgan Vetter with 18 points each.

Sophomore Niki Kruger's eight points topped the Lady 'Cats (6-9, 1-5).

The Slater boys open up the tough Wildcat Classic today against top-seeded Higginsville, ranked fourth in Class 3, while the girls' first-round opponent Tuesday is Fayette.