By By SCOTT NOVAK / Vigilant/Argus
The Dowagiac girls' varsity basketball made a good showing of itself in the season opener Thursday night.
The Chieftains hung with a veteran Cassopolis squad in a 42-32 non-conference setback.
The Chieftains stayed with Cassopolis, which had already played a game on Tuesday night, for the first half.
The Lady Rangers (2-0) led 13-10 after one period of play and 21-20 at the intermission.
In the third quarter, however, Cassopolis was able to open up a quick 28-20 lead before settling for a 35-26 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
Dowagiac (0-1) was able to cut into the Rangers' lead a couple of times in the final eight minutes, but didn't have enough left in the gas tank to pull off the upset.
Late in the final stanza, the Lady Rangers took the air out of the ball by spreading the floor and forcing Dowagiac to chase them.
Cassopolis also stepped it up defensively in the second half. The Lady Rangers did not allow Dowagiac a two-point basket in the final 16 minutes.
Dowagiac coach Joe Spitale was pleased with his squad's initial effort.
Spitale was referring to Cassopolis' Shanie Thompson, who scored 12 points.
Cass also got 12 points from standout Jealyn Foston and nine points from Kelsey Gordon.
Dowagiac was led by Brittney Reist's 10 points. Holly Lowe, Katy Stuppy and Valerie Johnson all contributed six points.
CASSOPOLIS 42
Amanda Weiss 0 0-0 0; Jealyn Foston 6 0-6 12; Kesley Gordon 2 4-5 9; Dee Dee Hawkins 0 0-0 0; Nikitas Nelson 1 0-0 3; Michelle James 2 2-4 6; Becky File 0 0-0 0; Monique Harris 0 0-0 0; Shanie Thompson 6 0-0 12. Totals 17 6-15 42
DOWAGIAC 32
Kim Luthringer 0 0-0 0; Holly Lowe 2 0-0 6; Amy Wood 1 0-0 2; Brittney Reist 4 0-0 10; Sarah Ostyn 0 0-0 0; Jolynn Hawkins 1 0-0 2; Katy Stuppy 2 0-0 6; Valerie Johnson 2 2-2 6; Maureen Pickar 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12 2-2 32
Cassopolis 13 8 14 7 - 42
Dowagiac 10 10 6 6 - 32
Three-point baskets: Gordon (C), Nelson (C), Reist (D) 2, Lowe (D) 2, Stuppy (D) 2. Total fouls: Cassopolis 8, Dowagiac 17. Fouled out: None. Technical fouls: None. Records: Cassopolis 2-0, Dowagiac 0-1