Central A&M started the girls basketball season cashing in on their success in recent years and holding off a tough-minded Neoga squad on opening night, 47-41.

Senior leader Shelby Jackson led the Raiders with a game-high 16 points, scoring inside the paint, beyond the arc and at the line. She also had a team-high seven boards. Carissa Burge also followed in double figures, scoring 12 points (one trey) and leading the team with four assists. Neoga was led by Erica Hotze’s double-double, 13 points and 14 boards.

A&M started out great with 12-2 and 14-7 runs to lead by 15 at the break, 26-9. But the defensive Indians put the screws down in the second half and got some points off it, outscoring the Raiders by 11, 32-21, charging back as A&M was saved by the bell.

Central A&M (1-0) plays again on Thursday, hosting CHBC (0-1).

Varsity

Central A&M 47, Neoga 41

A&M 12-14-12-9—47

Neo 2-7-16-16—41

A&M stats: Shelby Jackson 16 (4-2s, 2-3 pt FGs, 2/2 FTs), 7 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 blocks; Carissa Burge 12 (4-2s, 1-3 pt FGs, 1/2 FTs), 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 assists; Janie Howse 5 (2 FGs, 1/2 FTs), 1 rebound, 1 assist; Aly Dial 5 (2 FGs, 1/2 FTs), 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists; Kerstin Kresin 4 (FG, 2/2 FTs), 3 rebounds, 3 steals; Tori Baker 3 (FG, 1/2 FTs), 5 rebounds; Amanda Collins 2 (FG), 1 rebound, 1 steal; lyndi Minott 1 rebound, 1 assist. Team FGs 18 (3-pointers: Jackson 2, Burge). Team FTs 8-of-14. Rebounds 28. Steals 12. Turnovers 11. Assists 8.

Neo stats: Hotze 13 (5 FGs, 3/4 FTs), 14 rebounds, 4 steals; Tarter 11 (4-2s, 1-3 pt FGs), Baker 7 (3 FGs, 1/2 FTs), E. Baker 4 (2 FGs), Cornell 2 (FG), A. Deters 2 (FG), O. Deters 2 (FG), 7 rebounds. Team FGs 18 (3-pointers: Tarter). Team FTs 4-of-6.