SLATER -- Both the Slater boys' and girls' basketball teams ended their 27th annual Wildcat Classic with three-point victories Friday.

For the Purple boys, it was sweet revenge against a Santa Fe club which had beaten them by 13 points before Christmas -- the Wildcats pulling out a 75-72 decision for the consolation trophy. It gave Slater its first back-to-back wins since then, although defeating Pilot Grove and the Chiefs -- with a combined 23-9 record -- this week was more impressive than downing Prairie Home and Malta Bend with their 5-21 mark in December.

The 'Cats came out of the gate firing, senior Kyle Durham hitting a three-pointer and senior Aric Falls scoring 11 points to build a 23-14 lead.

However, Santa Fe isn't without its gunners and closed the margin to five points by halftime, then tallied 29 points during the third quarter as senior Kenzie Thorp -- who had suffered a four-stitch gash in his head during a first-quarter collision with Slater senior Austin Foster -- buried a pair of threes and juniors Taylor Wesley and Luke Brandt teamed up for 15 points.

Durham struck outside again early in the final frame, Falls following with 13 more points. Wesley kept the Chiefs in contention with nine points during the period, but the home team was able to take a one-point lead.

That margin was extended to three points when Foster converted a pair of free throws with 11.7 seconds remaining, and Santa Fe was prevented from getting off a potential game-tying shot.

Wesley finished with 21 points and Brandt had 18 for the Chiefs (10-6), who return to I-70 Conference play Tuesday at Windsor.

Falls' 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists led the 'Cats (6-13), also getting 21 points from Durham. They host Sweet Springs on Tuesday.

The Slater girls also needed some late heroics, and they came from sophomore Niki Kruger. While the Lady 'Cats forced turnovers on Carrollton's last three possessions of the game, Kruger made a conventional three-point play and another free throw in the final 20 seconds to pull out a 53-50 win for seventh place.

It was a close game throughout, Slater leading by four points at halftime and the Lady Trojans (2-14) getting four buckets from sophomore Kylie Watts during the third frame to enter the final stanza with a 37-34 edge.

Junior Rachel Gonzalez made three shots, including a three-pointer, to keep the Lady 'Cats in contention. She finished with 20 points to top Slater (7-11).