By By JEFF FISHER / Vigilant/Argus
EDWARDSBURG - A strong second half scoring outburst by Cassopolis led to a 54-34 road victory Thursday night over Edwardsburg in a Lakeland Conference matchup.
Cassopolis (5-1), raced out to a 14-8 lead after the first quarter, and a 25-15 margin at the intermission and never looked back.
The Lady Rangers played 32 minutes of solid basketball which featured a stingy defense that created turnovers, stole offensive rebounds and grabbed defensive boards, much to a pleased Coach Foston of Cass.
Senior standout Jealyn Foston of Cass poured in 18 points to lead all scorers. Freshman Michelle James added 11 points, with Kelsey Gordon, Nikitas Nelson, and Shanice Thompson contributing with six points each along with grabbing key rebounds and providing a strong defensive presence.
The Lady Rangers hosted Brandywine in a conference contest on Tuesday night (see related story Page 9).
Edwardsburg was led in scoring by sophomore guard Julie Harness with 13 points, and junior center Kerri Wood with nine points.
Cassopolis is now 2-1 in the Lakeland Athletic Conference.
CASSOPOLIS 54
Amanda Weiss 0 1-2 1, Jealyn Foston 7 4-5 18, Kelsey Gordon 2 2-2 6, DeeDee Hawkins 1 0-0 2, Nikitas Nelson 3 0-0 6, Michelle James 5 1-3 11, Becky File 0 0-0 0, Monique Harris 2 0-0 4, Shanice Thompson 2 2-2 6. Totals: 22 10-14 54
EDWARDSBURG 34
Julie Harness 5 2-2 13, Kristen Toney 0 0-0 0, Susanna Martino 0 0-0 0, Nikki Focht 0 0-0 0, Shelley Lange 1 3-3 5, Chrissy Breisch 1 0-0 2, Jenny Sutherland 0 0-0 0, Kerri Wood 4 1-2 9, Lindsey Mellonberndt 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 6-7 34
Cassopolis 14 11 13 16 - 54
Edwardsburg 8 7 7 12 - 34
Three-point baskets: Harness (E), Roberts (E). Total fouls: Edwardsburg 13, Cassopolis 9. Fouled out: None.
BERRIEN SPRINGS - The Cassopolis girls' varsity basketball team ran its Lakeland Conferece record to 3-1 with a 40-36 victory over host Berrien Springs on Tuesday, Sept. 14.
Cassopolis (6-1) led 12-6 after one period of play and 21-18 at the intermission.
The Lady Rangers increased its lead to 32-27 and then held on for the victory.
Jealyn Foston led the Lady Rangers with 18 points. Kelsey Gordon added 11 points. Nikitas Nelsen finished with five points.
Christine Drach of Berrien Springs led all scorers with 20 points.
CASSOPOLIS 40
Amanda Weiss 1 0-0 2, Jealyn Foston 6 4-6 18, Kelsey Gordon 2 1-2 11, Dee Dee Hawkins 0 0-0 0, Nikitas Nelsen 2 0-0 5, Michelle James 2 0-0 4, Becky File 0 0-0 0, Monique Harris 0 0-0 0, Shanice Thompson 0 0-2 0. Totals: 15 5-10 40.
BERRIEN SPRINGS 36
Heather Rodgers 2 3-4 8, Sydney Mead 1 0-0 3, Gabby Saitz 0 0-0 0, Christine Drach 9 2-3 20, Samantha Cooper 0 0-2 0, Whitney Hewitt 0 0-0 0, Ashley Pagel 1 3-4 5, Andrea O'Dell 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 8-13 36.
Cassopolis 12 21 32 40
Berrien Springs 6 18 27 36
Three-point baskets: Foston (C) 2, Gordon (C) 2, Nelsen (C), Rodgers (BS), Mead (BS). Total fouls: Berrien 11, Cass 14. Fouled out: None.