By Staff
CENTREVILLE - Neil Bullocks scored 20 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had five steals as Cassopolis opened up Class C District Tournament play with an easy 67-57 victory over the host Bulldogs Tuesday night.
The win advances the Rangers (14-7) to tonight's semifinal contest against Marcellus (17-2).
The Rangers led by 17 points at halftime and then withstood a comeback attempt by Centreville, which ends its season at 12-9.
Cassopolis led 18-15 at the end of one period, but outscored Centreville 22-8 in the second quarter to grab a commanding 40-23 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.
The Rangers went on a 18-2 scoring run that turned 22-21 lead into a comfortable halftime lead.
Cassopolis was sparked during the run by three-pointers from Will Loux and Dan Stanage.
Stanage finished with 18 points on the night.
In the second half, the Rangers were outscored by the Bulldogs 14-11 in the third quarter and 20-16 in the final eight minutes as Centreville cut the lead down to the final 10-point margin.
Rodney Lewis added 14 points for the Rangers, who also got six points each from Paul Curtis and John Young.
Centreville was led by Travis Balk's 18 points. Zach Crone finished with 10 points.
The Rangers, who have won 12 of their last 14 contests after starting the year 2-5, will meet Marcellus, champions of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, at 7 p.m.
The winner advances to Saturday's championship game, which will also start at 7 p.m.
CASSOPOLIS 67
Paul Curtis 3 0-2 6, John Young 3 0-0 6, Rodney Lewis 4 6-8 14, Neil Bullocks 10 0-3 20, Dan Stanage 7 1-5 16, Ryan Anderson 0 0-0 0, Larry Harris 0 0-0 0, Drew Warren 0 0-0 0, Will Loux 1 0-0 3, Lonnie Williams 1 0-0 3, Terrance Moore 0 0-0 0, A.J. Ballard 0 0-0 0. Totals: 29 7-18 67.
CENTREVILLE 56
Zach Adams 2 0-0 5, Cam Jergens 2 1-2 6, Zach Crone 4 1-2 10, Dustin Mostrom 4 1-1 9, Travis Balk 7 4-4 18, Henry Schwartz 0 0-0 0, Jason Ri 2 0-0 5, Zach Parker 0 0-0 0, Mike Hughes 0 2-2 0, Tom Stauffer 1 0-0 2, Doug Mostrom 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22 9-11 57
Cassopolis 18 49 51 67
Centreville 15 23 37 57
Three-point baskets: Stanage (CA, Loux (CA); Adams (CE), Jergens (CE), R. Crone (CE). Total fouls: Cassopolis 14, Centreville 16. Varsity records: Cassopolis 14-7, Centreville 12-9