Senior guard Mykaela Bonnett paced the Lady Wildcats with 19 points in a season-opening 49-42 loss to the Lady Panthers on Monday night.
New Bloomfield held one-point edges at the end of the second and third quarters, respectively, but five missed free throws contributed in the Lady Wildcats being outscored 20-12 in the final eight minutes.
New Bloomfield finished the contest 11-of-18 from the line.
"We played hard, we just had some trouble getting the ball in the basket in the fourth quarter," Lady Wildcats head coach Brett Craighead said.
Senior guard Sydni Bedsworth and freshman guard Madi Craighead each posted six points for New Bloomfield. Alli Massy led Centralia with 14 points, while Kailee Chitwood and Olivia Eichel both pitched in with 13 points.
Sophomore forward Madison Love's 12 points led the Lady Wildcats to a 26-22 victory in the JV game.
New Bloomfield plays at Calvary Luthern at 6 tonight.