By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The Brandywine Bobcats were hoping for a win Friday night against Berrien Springs.
Not only was it Senior Night in the Brandywine gymnasium, but it was also the last home game of the season.
Unfortunately, the Shamrocks spoiled any big celebrations with a 67-42 Lakeland Conference victory.
Justin Ely, Adam Prescott, Matt Wieger, Cory Barber, Chris Casey, D.J. Elrod and Ryan Hartman make up the seniors on this year's squad.
Elrod and Casey, two key players, were both out of the game Friday due to injuries.
Elrod rolled his ankle in practice Wednesday and Casey is out with a knee injury.
The two players didn't have much affect on the Bobcats in the first half of Friday's game, though, as Brandywine never trailed the Shamrocks by more than 10 points.
Berrien Springs had a 19-15 lead after the first quarter and a 35-28 lead at halftime.
However, entering the second half, the short-handed Bobcat squad wore down and allowed the Shamrocks to go on a 13-0 run to end the third with a 53-35 lead.
The Bobcats were only able to add seven points to their score in the fourth period, while the Shamrocks went on to score 14, posting the final score of the night.
Cummings, who is usually the Shamrocks' leading scorer, was held to just two points the entire night.
Matt Demler had 19, Ryan Little had 17 and Kolby Wood had 12 for Berrien Springs.
For Brandywine, Matt Beaver had 11 points, Wieger had 10, including two three-pointers and Prescott had five.
The Bobcats will be back in action next Friday when they travel to Bridgman for their last regular season game. Tip off time is set for 7:30 p.m.
On Monday, March 6, Brandywine will have to face Bridgman again in the first round of the Class C districts. That game is also set to begin at 7:30 p.m.