The North Callaway girls' basketball team was outscored 11-4 in the fourth quarter in dropping its season opener to the Hermann Lady Bearcats 37-27 on Monday night.
The Ladybirds trailed 12-11 after one half and 26-23 through three quarters, but managed just one field goal in the final frame. North Callaway was outscored 25-16 after halftime.
Ladybirds senior guard Elaine Brinker tallied a game-high 16 points, connecting on three 3-pointers, hitting 5-of-6 free throws and picking up four steals.
Junior forward Taylor Wiseman finished with five points, junior guard Bailey Langworthy grabbed five rebounds and senior forward Kaysey Huddleston handed out five assists.
Tesla Ruediger led Hermann with 13 points, while Brooke Grosse contributed 11 points for Hermanm.
"(There were) first game jitters and mistakes," North Callaway head coach Matt Miller said. "Defensively, we did fine, we just couldn't get shots to fall and we missed too many layups."
The Ladybirds prevailed in the JV game 43-38.
North Callaway will return to varsity action Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. in a varsity girls-boys doubleheader at Centralia.
The Ladybirds' JV team will play Washington in the first round of the Hermann Tournament at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2.