By By JEFF FISHER / Vigilant/Argus
A tough, physical, yet scrappy Cassopolis girls' basketball team outplayed, outscored, and outdid the Brandywine Bobcats in a 69-39 romp Tuesday night in Lakeland Conference play.
The Lady Rangers raced out to a 16-8 lead after one quarter, and to a 33-20 halftime lead.
As the second half began, the Lady Rangers put their game into overdrive by outscoring the Bobcats 26-19 in the second half by rebounding, solid defensive play, and very professional wrestling like moves to get ball possession, to seal the victory.
Cassopolis was led in scoring by Monique Harris with 16 points, Kelsey Gordon adding 13, and super frosh Michelle James contributing 11 points.
The Brandywine Bobcats were led by Kalie Newman with 11 points and Nikki Martyniuk with nine points.
The Lady Rangers are now currently 7-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play. They are also currently on a four-game winning streak and unbeaten at home.
The Bobcats drop to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
Cassopolis now hosts River Valley Thursday night.
BRANDYWINE 39
Kalie Newman 3 4-6 11, Ashley Antus 0 1-2 1, Kendra Zache 2 0-0 6, Rachel Batman 1 0-2 2, Katie Smallwood 1 2-2 4, Kerri Zache 2 0-0 4, Nikki Martyniuk 2 5-5 9, Charlene Juhasz 0 0-2 0, Heather Knuckles 0 2-2 2. Totals: 11 14-21 39
CASSOPOLIS 69
Amanda Weiss 1 1-3 3, Jealyn Foston 4 1-2 9, Kelsey Gordon 6 0-0 13, DeeDee Hawkins 1 0-0 2, Nikitas Nelson 3 1-4 7, Michelle James 5 1-2 11, Becky File 2 0-0 4, Monique Harris 7 0-0 16, Shanice Thompson 2 0-0 4. Totals: 31 4-11 69
Brandywine 8 12 7 12 - 39
Cassopolis 16 17 15 21 - 69
Three-point baskets: Harris (C) 2, Gordon (C), Brandywine 3 K. Zache (BW) 2, Newman (BW). Total fouls: Cassopolis 16, Brandywine 13
Varsity records: Cassopolis 7-1, 4-1 Lakeland; Brandywine 2-3, 1-2.
Edwardsburg vs. Eau Claire
EAU CLAIRE - The host Lady Beavers used 10 three-pointers to knock off visiting Edwardsburg, 56-53, in a non-conference game Tuesday night.
Eau Claire's Jacquel Rogers connected on five of those three-pointers on her way to a game-high 23 points.
The Lady Beavers (3-6) led 13-9 after one quarter, but trailed 22-17 at the intermission as the Lady Eddies outscored them 13-4 in the second quarter.
Edwardsburg continued to control the game in the third quarter, outscoring Eau Claire 24-19 to increase its lead to 42-36 heading into the final stanza.
The Lady Beavers turned the tables on the Lady Eddies in the final eight minutes as they outscored Edwardsburg 20-11 to seal the victory.
Besides Rogers' scoring outburst, Eau Claire got 17 points from Brittany Phillips, who had three, three-pointers.
Edwardsburg was led offensively by Kerri Wood's 16 points and eight rebounds. Lindsay Moellenberndt added 11 points and seven rebounds.
EDWARDSBURG 53
Julie Harness 4 0-0 10, Kristen Toney 1 0-0 2, Nikki Focht 1 0-0 2, Shelley Roberts 1 0-0 3, Sarah Lange 2 3-5 7, Chrissy Breisch 2 0-0 4, Kerri Wood 6 4-8 16, Lindsay Moellenberndt 5 1-2 11. Totals: 22 8-15 53
EAU CLAIRE 56
Anna Glassman 1 3-5 5, Courtney Moore 0 2-2 2, Joi Allen 1 0-0 2, Jessie Glassman 0 1-2 1, Jordan Wright 2 0-0 6, Jacquel Rogers 8 2-5 23, Brittany Phillips 6 2-2 17. Totals: 18 10-16 56
Eau Claire 13 4 19 20 - 56
Edwardsburg 9 12 21 11 - 42 53
Three-point baskets: Rogers (EC) 5, Phillips (EC) 3, Wright (EC) 2; Edwardsburg 3 Harness (E) 2, Roberts (E). Total fouls: Edwardsburg 13, Eau Claire 14. Fouled out: None.
Varsity Records: Eau Claire 7-0, Edwardsburg 3-6