The Helias Lady Crusaders were in their first two games of the season to the very end.
But not Thursday night.
The Boonville Lady Pirates jumped out to a 20-11 lead after the first quarter on their way to a 50-31 victory against the Lady Crusaders at Rackers Fieldhouse.
"We're tired," Helias coach Alan Lepper said. "I don't want to make excuses for these kids, but they're all very good students and they're staying up late doing homework and also playing basketball.
"With the games and practices, we're just mentally exhausted. The girls are mentally hurting right now."
The Lady Pirates were 9-of-13 from the field in the opening quarter.
"We have to play hard every second between the lines," Lepper said. "We can't be complacent. When you are complacent against good teams, you are going to find yourself in a hole."
Camryn Monteer had 10 points in the first quarter and 17 in the first half for Boonville.
"There were times we just lost where she was at on the floor," Lepper said. "Against a quality shooter at this level, you cannot do that."
Boonville closed the second quarter on a 5-0 run to take a 32-17 advantage into intermission.
Any chance Helias had of getting back into the game went away when the Lady Crusaders turned the ball over on five of their first six possessions in the second half.
Helias finished with 24 turnovers in the game.
"It all goes back to fundamental basketball," Lepper said. "I will put the blame on myself for that, but the players have to transfer what we're teaching them into the games and we're not doing that right now.
"It seems like we are hesitant for just a fraction of a second and it's costing us."
Boonville led 44-24 heading into the fourth quarter.
Helias reserves played most of the final eight minutes.
"I'm just trying to find a group of five that can play basketball together," Lepper said. "Somehow, we've got to find a group."
Monteer finished with 20 points for Boonville (2-1), which was No. 7 in the Class 3 preseason coaches poll. Brynn Edwards added 17.
Erin Wyrick had eight points to lead Helias. Ellie Rockers pulled down a game-high 12 boards, her third straight double-digit rebounding game this season.
"We lost seven games in a row last year and bounced back," Lepper said. "It's kind of the same challenge again. The coaches and upperclassmen need to work hard to pull us out of this."
Helias (0-3) is back in action Sunday against Blue Springs in the Norm Stewart Classic in Columbia.
"They've got a big post player and a good guard who's going to be tough," Lepper said.
Game time is 10 a.m. at Columbia College.
After starting the season with three games at Rackers Fieldhouse, the Lady Crusaders will not have another home game until the State Farm Holiday Hoops Invitational on Dec. 28-30.
Helias won Thursday night's JV game 44-25. Alisha Berhorst finished with 17 points for the Lady Crusaders (5-0), while Lainy Lamb chipped in with 10.