CENTRALIA, Mo. - The North Callaway Ladybirds presented new head coach Morgan Beamer with her first career win by outscoring the Centralia Lady Panthers 8-4 in overtime in Tuesday night's season opener.
Centralia forced the extra period when Kristen Hann buried a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left in regulation, tying the game at 51-all. The Lady Panthers had a chance to escape with a dramatic victory, but Carter Simkins missed the front end of a 1-and-1 free-throw opportunity with no time on the clock.
Sophomore guard Kenzie Ausfahl then delivered from the foul line in overtime, making 4-of-8 attempts as North Callaway prevailed.
Junior forward Allie Schlueter, a transfer from Montgomery County, tallied 19 points and collected nine rebounds to guide the Ladybirds. Ausfahl added 17 points, while junior guard Kyla Bertschinger - who fouled out on the final play of regulation - provided 12 points and had seven steals.
Senior center Sam Schaefer contributed eight points, 16 rebounds and three blocked shots for North Callaway, and junior guard Nicole Emmons handed out five assists.
"This was a really good team win," Beamer said. "The girls played well the entire ball game and did a good defensive job against a good ball club. It was a good way to start the season."
Olivia Eikel answered with a game-high 22 points to pace Centralia (1-1). Hann - who also knocked down a 3 as time expired to give the Lady Panthers a 25-24 halftime edge - finished with 13 points.
The Ladybirds travel to Hallsville for a tripleheader Friday. The junior varsity boys' game tips off at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity girls' and boys' contests, respectively.