By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS – A 24-point first quarter was just the start Cassopolis was looking for in its season opener Friday night against visiting Covert.
The Rangers outscored the Bulldogs 24-10 in the first quarter on their way to a 72-40 non-conference victory.
Cassopolis (1-0) got after Covert (1-1) from the opening tip-off, pressuring the Bulldogs full court and attacking on offense.
The result was a 25-point halftime lead for the Rangers.
Leading 45-20 heading into the second half, Cassopolis did not let up. The Rangers increased their lead to 30 points, 60-30, by outscoring the Bulldogs 15-10 in the third quarter.
Cassopolis also outscored Covert in the fourth quarter, 12-10, to finish with a 32-point victory.
The Rangers' Nick Davis led all scorers with 28 points. Kris Morgan added 16 points, while Paul Curtis finished with eight points.
Carl Dixon's 10 points led the Bulldogs. No other Covert player reached double figures.
The Rangers are back in action on Tuesday when they open up Lakeland Conference play at Buchanan.
COVERT 40
Delaney Rosberg 2 0-0 5, Carl Dixon 5 0-0 10, Travis Shavers 1 0-1 3, Mark Chambers 2 1-3 5, C.J. Rosberg 2 0-0 4, Terrell Holloway 0 1-2 1, Eddie Jones 2 0-0 4, Keith Columbel 0 0-2 0, Devin Brunt 3 0-0 8. Totals: 17 2-8 40
CASSOPOLIS 72
Paul Curtis 4 0-0 8, P.J. Smith 1 0-0 2, Ruben Rios 0 0-0 0, Larry Harris 1 2-2 4, A.J. Ballard 0 0-0 0, Kris Morgan 8 0-0 16, Drew Warren 2 1-2 5, Raymond Nelson 2 1-2 5, Nick Davis 11 5-6 28, DaShaun Curtis 2 0-0 4. Totals: 31 9-12 72
Covert 10 20 30 40
Cassopolis 24 45 60 72
3-point baskets: Brunt (CO) 2, Shavers (CO), Rosberg (CO), Davis (CA). Total fouls: Covert 10, Cassopolis 15. Fouled out: None. Records: Cassopolis 1-0, Covert 0-1. JV score: Covert 38, Cassopolis 35