By By JEFF FISHER / Niles Daily Star
The Cassopolis Rangers rebounded Friday night at home against Brandywine to notch their first victory of the season in a rout 66-42.
The Rangers opened the game with the first four baskets, as well as creating turnovers that led to fast breaks. The Rangers did not allow the Bobcats to score until the 4:46 mark of the first quarter. Cass led 19-11 after the first.
Cass set an up tempo theme for the second quarter by creating turnovers with their physical zone defense. The Rangers once again held the Bobcats scoreless in the second quarter until 3:52 to go. Rangers took a 29-14 lead into the lockeroom.
Cass once again set the tempo in the third quarter with a hurry up offense, but Brandywine was able to respond with numerous inside baskets and was able to narrow the gap to 11 points, but Cass was able to hit shots widen its lead and took a 38-22 lead with two minutes to go and a 45-29 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The Rangers opened the game up in the fourth quarter, to eventually lead by twenty points, and was able to wrap up the victory.
"Opening the season with Bridgman and Coloma, I don't wish that upon anyone, but I was pleased with our effort tonight," said Ranger coach Floyd Foston.
The Bobcats were led in scoring by Bill Bussey with 10 points, Mike Nagy with eight, and Zach Bennett with seven.
Kevin Luckey led Cass with 23 points, John Young with nine points, and Ashton Danzy with seven.
"Luckey is our leader on both ends, we go as he goes", added Foston.
The Ranger are now 1-2 in the Lakeland Conference and will now host Edwardsburg in the Sturgis B&T Holiday Classic beginning December 28 in White Pigeon.