By By SCOTT NOVAK / Vigilant/Argus
CASSOPOLIS - It wasn't always pretty, but in the end the Cassopolis varsity basketball team advanced to the Class C District semifinals with a 54-25 win over visiting Constantine Monday night.
The Lady Rangers (19-2) rolled up a 16-1 advantage before Constantine (5-16) went on a 10-0 run to make it 16-11.
Cassopolis survived the run and went on to take a 26-19 lead into the lockerroom at halftime.
Cassopolis outscored the Lady Falcons 28-14 in the second half to secure the first round victory.
"We can't afford to be focused and then not focused," Cassopolis coach Floyd Foston said. "We have to get mentally tough for all 32 minutes."
Kelsey Gordon and Michelle James led a balanced Cassopolis scoring attack with 14 points each.
Dee Dee Hawkins added 12 points.Hawkins also had 15 rebounds, three blocks and three assists for the Lady Rangers.
Nikitas Nelson added seven rebounds, while she also had two blocks.
Cassopolis faces Marcellus (13-7) on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The championship game is set for Saturday night at 6 p.m.
CONSTANTINE 25
Stevie Bowen 0 0-0 0, Megan Erbes 0 0-0 0, Stephanie Portinga 1 0-1 2, Kayla Goldsmith 0 0-0 0, Emilee Komins 3 1-4 7, Andria Baker 3 2-4 8, Brooke Jacobs 0 0-0 0, Jacqueline Krull 2 0-0 4, Megan Niblock 0 0-1 0, Brooke Longcore 2 0-0 4. Totals: 11 3-10 25
CASSOPOLIS 54
Kelsey Gordon 6 0-1 14, Dee Dee Hawkins 6 0-0 12, Tiffany Williams 1 0-0 2, Nikitas Nelson 1 0-3 2, Michelle James 7 0-1 14, Taira Williams 1 0-0 2, Miss Allen 1 0-0 2, Becky File 1 0-0 2, Monique Harris 1 0-0 2, Shanice Thompson 1 0-0 2. Totals: 26 0-5 54
Constantine 1 11 19 25
Cassopolis 14 26 38 54
Three-point baskets: Gordon (CA) 2. Total fouls: Constantine 14, Cassopolis 14. Fouled out: Portinga (CO). Varsity records: Constantine 5-16, Cassopolis 19-2
Cassopolis…36
Bridgman…38
BRIDGMAN - The loss of an All-Stater almost did in the host Lady Bees as Bridgman staved off Cassopolis to win the Lakeland Conference championship on Nov. 10.
Heather Seyfred, who is slated to play at Indiana State next season, injured her knee with 6:02 to play in the third quarter.
Bridgman took a 12-point lead into the fourth quarter, but did not score the rest of the way.
Cassopolis rallied but fell short, 38-36.
The Lady Bees (19-1) raced out to an 18-8 first quarter lead.
The Lady Rangers rallied in the second quarter and cut the lead to 28-23 at the intermission.
Cassopolis outscored Bridgman 15-10 in the second quarter.
Bridgman, despite the loss of Seyfred in the third quarter, outscored Cassopolis 10-3 in the period to up their advantage to 38-26 heading into the final eight mintues.
Cassopolis held a 10-0 scoring advantage in the final period, but could not catch Bridgman, which has now won 40 consecutive league games.
Gordon led Cassopolis with 13 points, while Nelson added nine points.
Bridgman was led by Seyfred, who had 14 points before the injury.
CASSOPOLIS 36
Michelle James 2 0-0 4, Nikitas Nelson 4 0-2 9, Becky File 0 0-0 0, Dee Dee Hawkins 1 1-2 3, Kelsey Gordon 4 3-3 13, Shanice Thompson 2 0-0 4, Taira Williams 1 1-2 3, Tiffany Williams 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 5-9 36
BRIDGMAN 38
Miranda Strefling 4 0-0 10, Sarah Svoboda 2 0-1 5, Jenny Malm 0 0-4 0, Heather Seyfred 6 2-4 14, Chelsea Anderson 1 0-0 2, Brooke Mottl 2 3-5 7, Beth Sheroan 0 0-0 0, Erica Eddy 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 5-14 38
Cassopolis 8 23 26 36
Bridgman 18 28 38 38
Three-point baskets: Gordon (C) 2, Nelson (C), Strefling (B) 2, Svoboda (B). Total fouls: Cassopolis 15, Bridgman 12. Varsity records: Cassopolis 18-2, 12-2 (LAC), Bridgman 18-2, 14-0 (LAC).