The Columbus Wildcats had to scrap and claw their way to beginning a new girls’ basketball season Tuesday night with a 42-37 win over conference rival Louisa-Muscatine.

Columbus trailed 11-10 at the end of the first quarter, and even when they managed to turn things around and take a 20-17 lead by halftime, they would again find themselves down a point going into the final period. But the Wildcats rallied to leave Letts with a victory.

Senior Ariana Vergara came up big on both ends of the floor for Columbus with a double-double of 15 points and 10 steals while also recording seven rebounds and three assists.

Junior Isabel Rendon added 11 points and four steals for the ‘Cats, while senior Lily Coil hit a pair of three-pointers on her way to eight points, five rebounds and three steals.

Despite not scoring, senior Aracely Garza had a big impact on the game for Columbus as well, picking up 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Wildcats will look to go to 2-0 when they next play this coming Tuesday at Lone Tree.