The debut of new Cassopolis boys’ basketball coach James Moore was ruined by visiting Hartford Monday night.

The Indians (1-0) defeated the Rangers (0-1) 71-61 in a non-conference contest.

Hartford had nine more field goals (including one more 3-pointer) than Cassopolis, while both teams struggled from the field in their opening game of the season.

Hartford had 31 field goals, including five 3-pointers.

Cassopolis finished with 22 field goals, including four 3-pointers.

The Indians were just 8-of-13 from the line and the Rangers were 7-of-17.

Hartford grabbed a 20-15 lead after eight minutes of play, but the Rangers came storming back in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 32-31 at the intermission.

Cassopolis outscored the Indians 16-12 in the second quarter to erase the five-point Hartford advantage.

But the Rangers couldn’t keep pace in the second half.

The Indians held a 19-16 advantage in scoring in the third quarter to open up a 51-47 lead heading to the fourth.

Hartford poured in 20 points in the final eight minutes compared to just 14 for the Rangers.

Mike Poczik scored a game-high 30 points for the Indians, who placed a trio of players in double figures.

Angelo Burmeister led Cass with 18 points.

Tommy First and Steven Eleazer both had 14 and Stefon Luckey 13 for the Rangers.
Cass also won the junior varsity contest over Hartford 64-45.

Monroe Gomez had 21 for the Rangers, who also got 16 from Dwayne Morgan, 12 from Tyler Gilliam and 11 from Taylor Baker.

HARTFORD 71
Mike Poczik 11 5-6 30, Brandon Chernugel 8 1-2 17, Cameron Collins 4 1-2 10, Shane Sullivan 2 1-3 5, Juan Perez 2 0-0 5, Zach Williams 2 0-0 4. TOTALS: 31 8-13 71
CASSOPOLIS 61
Stefon Luckey 5 0-2 13, Steven Eleazer 6 1-1 14, Tommy First 6 2-7 14, Nate Hartline 0 2-4 2, Angelo Burmeister 8 2-3 18, Oliver Fiala 0 0-0 0, Delshawn Wicker 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 22 7-17 61

Hartford 20 32 51 71
Cassopolis 15 31 47 61
3-point baskets: Hartford 5 (Poczik 3, Collins 1, Perez 1), Cassopolis 4 (Luckey 3, Eleazer 1). Total fouls: Hartford 13, Cassopolis 15. Fouled out: None. Varsity records: Hartford 1-0, Cassopolis 0-1

Bangor…80
Cassopolis…85
The Rangers picked up their first win Tuesday night with an 85-80 victory over Bangor in overtime.
Luckey had a game-high 26 points to lead the Rangers, who also got 20 points from Nate Hartline and 19 points from Eleazer.
Andrew Johnson led the Vikings with 23 points. Chris Watkins added 13 and Jimal Valentine 12.

BANGOR 80
Jimal Valentine 12, Davion Watson 4, Chris Watkins 13, Jabari Brazelton 6, Brandon Graham 3, Chad Gravatt 11, Garrett Jackson 2, Craig Peterson 6, Andrew Johnson 23
CASSOPOLIS 85
Stefon Luckey 26, Steven Eleazer 19, Tommy First 4, Nate Hartline 20, Oliver Fiala 3, Angelo Burmeister 10, Delshawn Wicker 3

Bangor 12 33 52 72 80
Cassopolis 11 32 58 72 85
3-point goals: Cassopolis 10 (Luckey 6, Hartline, Wicker, Eleazer, Burmeister), Bangor 5 (Graham, Johnson, Gravatt 3). Total fouls: Bangor 20, Cassopolis 13. Fouled out: Watkins (B). Varsity records: Cassopolis 1-1, Bangor 0-1