By By SCOTT NOVAK / Vigilant/Argus
WHITE PIGEON - For the first time since 1992, the Cassopolis varsity basketball team can call itself district champion.
The Lady Rangers captured the Class C District Basketball championship with a 50-27 victory over Colon Friday night at White Pigeon High School.
Cassopolis (21-2) faces Kalamazoo Hackett, both honorable mention picks in the latest Associated Press poll, tonight in Hartford in the opening round of the Class C Regional Basketball Tournament. The Lady Rangers and Lady Irish will play at 7:45 p.m. Bridgman, ranked No. 4 in Class C faces Lawrence in the opening game at 6 p.m.
The Lady Rangers built up a 19-9 first half lead, however, coach Floyd Foston, in his third season, was not comfortable with the 10-point lead.
A shot that didn't count, however, gave Cassopolis the momentum it needed heading into the second half.
Senior Jealyn Foston, daughter of the coach, heaved a three-quarter length shot just after the buzzer sounded that went in. Despite the fact that the officials waved off the basket, the Lady Rangers got a big boost from the effort.
In the second half the Lady Rangers got into an offensive flow and pulled away from the Lady Magi for the easy victory.
Cassopolis outscored Colon 31-18 in the second half to pick up its first district championship since the 1990s.
Jealyn Foston and Michelle James both led the Lady Rangers with 13 points. Kelsey Gordon added 11 points, while DeeDee Hawkins added eight points.
Cassopolis once again played without starter Shanice Thompson, who has been lost for the remainder of the year due to a broke foot.
Colon (16-7) was led by Joli Schlabach's eight points.
CASSOPOLIS 50
Jealyn Foston 5 2-2 13, Kelsey Gordon 5 1-2 11, DeeDee Hawkins 4 0-0 8, Nikitas Nelson 1 1-2 3, Michelle James 4 5-9 13, Amanda Weiss 0 0-0 0, Rebecca File 1 0-0 2, Monique Harris 0 0-1 0. Totals 20 9-16 50.
COLON 27
Melisa Jackowiak 1 1-2 3, Haley Minor 2 0-0 4, Joli Schlabach 3 0-5 8, Amanda Walkinhood 3 0-0 6, Megan Klein 2 0-0 4, Courtney Sharp 0 0-0 0, Kerri Schwartz 0 0-0 0, Sara Kauffman 0 0-0 0, Liz Hall 0 0-0 0, Rebekah Drake 0 0-0 0, Donielle Hetrick 1 0-0 2. Totals 12 1-8 27.
Cassopolis 15 4 13 18 - 50
Colon 7 2 4 14 - 27
Three-point baskets: Foston (CA), Schlabach (CO) 2. Total fouls: Cassopolis 14, Colon 19. Fouled out: None.