By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- A technical foul, coaches yelling at each other and one coach following the officials down a hallway were just part of the story Tuesday night at Brandywine High School.
In the end, the host Lady Bobcats picked up their biggest victory of the season as they upset Cassopolis, 57-56, in Lakeland Conference action.
Foston had plenty of comments during the contest as he and Brandywine coach Dave Roeder traded barbs during and after the contest. Foston also followed the officials down a hallway voicing his displeasure with how the game was officiated.
Although he wouldn't comment on the game, perhaps the biggest problem Foston had with the officiating was the fact that his daughter and star player Jealyn Foston fouled out with 4:10 to play in the third quarter.
Foston, who was limited to just 12 minutes due to foul trouble, picked up three personal fouls in the first half.
Cassopolis (12-4, 8-4) was able to stay with the Lady Bobcats and lead the game on several occasions, it was clear the Lady Rangers needed the spark of their offensive leader.
Foston picked up her fourth personal foul with 4:10 remaining in the game and then was assessed a technical foul, her fifth, when she appeared to voice her displeasure over the call.
Even without Foston, the Lady Rangers were able to build up a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Brandywine (7-8, 5-6) sliced that lead quickly and tied the game at 55 with 25 seconds remaining on a basket by Judy Schlutt.
The Lady Rangers grabbed a 56-55 lead on a free throw by Shanice Thompson with 19.7 seconds remaining on the clock.
Emily Christiansen was fouled with 7.2 seconds left and connected on both free throws to give the Lady Bobcats the victory.
Cona Marshall drove the length of the floor in the final seven seconds but missed on her attempt to win the game.
Brandywine led 16-15 after one period of play and 26-21 at the intermisison.
Cassopolis scored 21 third quarter points, while holding the Lady Bobcats to just nine to take a 42-35 advantage into the final quarter.
Brandywine exploded for 22 fourth quarter points, while the Lady Rangers managed 14 points.
Brandywine held a 38-30 advantage on the boards and turned the ball over just 13 times compared to 16 for the Lady Rangers.
Cassopolis shot 47 percent from the field and had five more field goals than Brandywine. The Lady Rangers were just 7-of-11 from the charity stripe.
Schlutt led the Lady Bobcats with 15 points, while Emily Whitney and Kalie Newman each tallied 11 points. Christiansen finished with 10.
Foston despite the foul trouble scored 12 points for Cassopolis, which also got 12 points from Marshall. Thompson finished with 11 points.
The Brandywine junior varsity team improved to 12-2 overall and 11-0 in the league with a 43-31 victory. Bethany Daniel led the Bobcats with nine points.
Brandywine….57
Cassopolis…..56
Brandywine: Emily Christiansen 4 2-5 10, Emily Whitney 4 3-4 11, Katie Tuohy 1 0-0 2, Kalie Newman 2 7-8 11, Nicky McGowen 2 4-4 8, Stephanie Duckett 0 0-0 0, Judy Schlutt 5 5-7 15, Ashley LeMere 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 21-18 57.
Cassopolis: Jealyn Foston 4 3-3 12, Diane Alford 4 0-0 8, Chaquitta Danzy 3 0-1 6, Kelsey Gordon 2 1-3 5, Cona Marshall 5 2-2 12, Jessica Frucci 0 0-0 0, Nikitas Nelson 1 0-0 2, Amanda Weiss 0 0-0 0, Shanice Thompson 5 1-2 11. Totals: 24 7-11 56.
Brandywine 16 10 9 22--57
Cassopolis 15 6 21 14--56
3-point shooting: Brandywine 0, Cassopolis 1 (Foston). Team fouls (fouled out): Brandywine 13 (none) Cassopolis 21 (Foston). Team records: Brandywine 7-8 (5-6 Lakeland), Cassopolis 12-4 (8-4)